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THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


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BY 


MES.  JAXE    DUNBAR    CHAPLIN. 


BOSTON. 

rUBLISHED  BY  HENEY  A.  YOUNG  &  CO. 
1870. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1869,  by 

HEXRY  A.  YOUNG  &  CO., 

In  the  clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  oftheDistrictof  Slassachusetts. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Strange  Guests,     ----------7 

CHAPTER  n. 
The  Stoiy  of  a  Clumsy  Life, 17 

CHAPTER  III. 
A  Broken  Promise,        .--------31 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Sale  and  the  Separation,    -------39 

CHAPTER  V. 

Dave  Huggins  "at  Home,"        -        -        -••-       -       -       -46 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Dave  Huggins  Receives  his  First  Letter,  -----      56 

CHAPTER  VII. 
A  Vision  and  an  Invitation,       -------65 

CHAPTER  Vm. 
The  Party  and  the  Man  of  the  Vision, 77 

CHAPTER  IX. 

An  Unwelcome  Guest,         -        -        -        -        -        -        --97 

CKVPTER  X. 
Madam  Leon, -----113 

531614 


Vi.  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Great  Events, 127 

CHAPTER  Xn. 
The  Camp-Meeting  Wedding,      -  ' 145 

CHAPTER  Xin. 
Preaching  Jack  and  Scriptur  Bill,      ------    161 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Last  Work  of  Preaching  Jack,  -------    l77 

CHAPTER  XV. 
A  Visit  from  Zack's  Master, -       -    190 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Huggins  get  rid  of  Zack, 199 

CHAPTER  XVH. 
Great  Changes, 215 

CHAPTER  XYHI. 

Fleeing  Before  the  Yankees, 230 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Good  News  from  Zack, -       -       -    243 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Entertaining  Soldiers,  •« ---257 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Deeper  in  the  Wilderness,  -------    271 

CHAPTER  XXn. 
A  Joyftd  Surprise, ?83 

CHAPTER  XXHI. 

Gathering  at  Home,  .-------300 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

STRANGE  GUESTS. 


M OUGHT  we  see  dc  minister,  missus  ? "  asked  a 
genuine  son  of  Ham,  as  he  presented  himself 
with  his  wife  at  the  parlor  door. 

The  minister  was  not  in,  and  the  ladj  and  her 
guests  were  a  little  startled  by  the  gudden  appear- 
ance of  the  sable  pair,  redolent  with  smiles,  and 
lavish  of  bows  and  courtesies. 

Tlie  man  was  tall  and  stalwart.  His  head, 
small,  round  and  closely  shorn,  sat  literally  on  his 
broad,  high  shoulders,  giving  his  whole  figure  the 
appearance  of  a  colossal  clothes-pin. 

There  was  no  mingled  blood  of  the  races  in  his 
veins.  He  was  black,  actually  black:  but  a  kinder 
and  more  agreeable  face  one  rarely  sees,  be  the 
complexion  what  it  may. 


8  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

His  wife  was  small  and  frail,  about  forty  years 
old.  In  any  other  company  she  might  have  ])een 
called  "  black  Ijut  comely,"  but  beside  him  lier 
color  faded,  and  she  was  only  "  a  little  brown 
woman."  Her  features  were  not  cast  in  the 
Guinea  mould.  Her  nose  was  small  and  straight, 
and  her  thin  lips,  which  only  half  hid  two  rows 
of  small,  white  teeth,  were  fixed  in  a  sad  smile. 
Her  eyes  were  soft  and  kind,  and  her  low  voice  had 
a  plaintive  tone  which  at  once  won  the  hearts  of 
the  ladies. 

The  strangers  were  offered  seats,  and  invited  to 
wait  for  the  minister's  return ;  but  they  hesitated, 
evidently  afraid  of  using  too  much  freedom. 

"  We's  mighty  disappointed  not  to  see  de  gen- 
Tman,"  said  the  man,  who  had  introduced  him- 
self as  Zack  Cameron,  "  because  we  come  on  busi- 
ness  —  mighty  important  business  to  us." 

"  I  suppose  you  want  to  be  married,"  said  the 
lady,  smiling. 

Then  he  broke  forth  into  a  genuine  African 
laugh,  which  proved  contagious,  and  the  whole 
little  party  joined  in  the  mirth,  when  he  found 
voice  to  say : 

"  Bless  yer  heart,  dear  missus,  we's  been  mar- 
ried dese  many  years,  good  ;  and  all  de  money  in 
dis  country  couldn't  onmarry  us,  we's  so  mighty 


STRANGE   GUESTS.  0 

*■ 

well  satisfied  wid  each  other.  Ha,  Weza  ? "  he 
cried,  looking  down  at  the  little  woman  tor  con- 
firmation. 

''  Yes,  Zack,  dat's  so,  sartin ;  we  wouldn't 
cliange,  not  if  we  had  de  whole  world  to  pick. 
IVom  ;  "  and  turning  to  the  ladies  she  added,  "  Yer 
can't  reckon  how  kind  and  lovin'  dis  man  has 
been  to  me  in  all  dem  awful  years.  De  Lord 
knowed  what  was  a  comin'  on  dis,  poor,  weak 
heai-t,  and  so  he  send  dis  great,  kind  man  for  me 
to  lean  agin.  I  believe,  ladies,  dat  dis  Zack  is  de 
very  best  man  de  dear  Lord  ever  made  on  his 
arth." 

This  compliment  sat  very  well  on  the  proud 
husloand,  and  he  looked  down  at  the  little  brown 
woman  with  a  patronizing  smile,  and  then  said, 
"  Yer  musn't  believe  all  she  says  'bout  me,  ladies, 
she's  only  a  poor  weak  woman." 

"  I'm  sure  you  are  strangers  here,"  said  one 
of  the  ladies.     "  I  never  saw  you  about  town." 

"  Yes,  missus,  we's  strangers  and  pilgrims,  both 
in  dis  town  and  on  de  arth.  I  'spose  yer  can  tell 
by  our  clothes "  —  they  were  clean,  but  miscut, 
and  uncouth  to  the  last  degree  —  "  dat  we's  from 
de  South  —  that  mad  place  dat's  gin  you  all  so 
much  trouble  as  well  as  us." 

"  How  came  you  here  ?  "  asked  the  lady  of  the 
house. 


10  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Well,  missus,  when  dc  war  was  over  we  felt 
's  if  our  liberty  was  too  good  to  be  true,  and  we  got 
to  surmisin'  of  evil.  We  was  feared  dat  somebody 
'nother  would  betray  us  into  de  hands  of  de  Phil- 
istines. We  felt  like  mice  dat's  just  got  out  of  de 
trap  alive  ;  we  wanted  to  get  dat  trap  out  of  our 
sight  as  well  as  off  of  our  feet.  We  had  lost 
heaps  o'  our  friends  in  de  war ;  dey  was  either 
dead,  or  scattered  hither  and  yon,  and  we  two  was 
most  alone  on  de  arth.  So  a  gentleman  coming 
North  offered  to  take  us  along  with  him,  and  let 
us  pay  up  our  passage  by  workin'  on  his  place ; 
and  dat's  what  we's  at  now,  missus,  in  dis  town." 

"  And  I  suppose  you  are  happy  here  ?  "  asked 
the  lady. 

"  Well,  yes,  missus,  as  happiness  goes  on  dis 
arth.  We's  bound  to  be  happy  anyway,  come 
what's  mind  to.  De  Lord  reigns,  and  dat  one 
thought  is  enough  to  make  any  poor  child  o'  his'n 
happy  ;  isn't  it  ? " 

"  It  ought  to  be." 

"  We's  bound  to  put  it  through  here  till  de  po- 
litical yarthquakes  and  tumultses  is  over,  and  we 
gets  a  little  ahead  in  life.  And  den  I  reckons 
we'll  go  down  home  agin.  Oh,  oh,  oh  !  dese  east 
winds  makes  us  shiver,  and  we  dreads  de  snow  to 
wade  through !  and  'side  dat,  ladies,  it's  a  blessed 
thing  to  live  'mong  yer  own  folks." 


STRANGE  GUESTS.  11 

"  Yes,  yes,  Zack,  dat's  sartiu  !  "  echoed  the  little 
brown  woman,  who  had  kept  her  admirhig  gaze 
fixed  on  him  dnring  this  speech  ;  "  it  is  a  blessed 
thing  to  live  'mong  your  own  Iblks  ;  "  and  she 
wiped  away  her  tears  with  the  corner  of  her  faded 
blue  apron. 

"  And  what  can  the  minister  do  for  you  ? " 
asked  the  lady. 

'' Well,  missus,  we  heerd  he  was  goin'  down  to 
our  parish,  and  thought  dat  may  be,  as  matters 
was  a  setthn'  down  a  little,  he  could  hunt  up  our 
folks  dat  we  lost  down  dere,"  replied  Zack. 

"Yes,  yes,  dat's  true,  Zack;  dat  nigh  'bout 
killed  me,  "  again  echoed  Weza. 

"  Yer  see,  kind  missus,  she  has  got  two  boys 
somewhere  or  nother  down  dere  in  de  wilderness, 
and  if  yer  a  mother  yer  understand  how  poor 
weak  women  feel  'bout  dere  children,  and  fathers, 
for  dat  matter,  too.  You  remember  how  old  Jacob 
took  on  'bout  Joseph,  -when  he  thought  de  wild 
beasts  had  devoured  him  up,  and  how  Rachel  wept 
and  wouldn't  be  comforted  no  how,  becase  her 
chiren  was  killed  ?  Oh,  I  tell  you,  ladies,  moth- 
ers' hearts  is  tender  things  to  handle  rough." 

"Yes,  mothers'  hearts  is  tender,"  the  little 
brown  woman  repeated,  with  her  eyes  still  fixed 
on  her  sable  hero. 


12  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Dem  two  boys  isn't  my  sons,  but  dey're  hern, 
and  she's  in  tribulation  'bout  dem.  She  suffers  for 
dem,  and  I  suffers  for  her.  She  dreams  'bout  'em, 
and  cries  in  her  sleep,  and  I  can't  rest  no  how  till 
she  can  rest.  So  I  wants  to  get  dem  hunted  up 
somehow  or  nother.  We''s  got  heaps  o'  friends 
sold  off  to  save  losing  dem,  just  afore  de  war. 
Dey're  among  the  sugar  canes  somewhar.  I  don't 
know  whar  dey  is,  but  de  Lord  know,  and  he  can 
pint  right  straight  to  'em  so  dat  de  minister  can 
find  'em.  You  know,  missus,  cTe  Book  says,  '  De 
eyes  of  de  Lord  are  in  every  place,  beholdin'  de 
evil  and  de  good.'  My  people  is  either  in  Georgy, 
or  else  in  Floridy,  or  Lou'sanny,  or  in  Texas. 
Jim,  dat  was  brung  up  near  by  me,  an'  most  hke 
my  brother,  he  was  in  Texas,  a  herding  of  cattle, 
last  time  we  got  wind  o'  him.  But  ye  tell  de 
minister  if  he'll  liunt  u|)  one  or  all  on  'em,  1*11  pay 
him  well  for  his  troulJc;  and  de  Lord,  who  loves 
dem  all  as  his  believin'  children,  will  pay  him  full 
measure,  ten  times,  heaped  up  and  a  ruunin'-over. 
Yer  tell  him  if  he'll  do  dis  little  job  for  us,  we'll 
pray  ^or  him  while  we  lives,  dat  de  Lord  would 
bless  him  in  his  baskets  and  his  stores,  in  his 
family  and  in  his  own  dear  soul." 

The  lady  felt  sure  the  minister  would  gladly  aid 
the  poor  wanderers,  but  the  effort  seemed  to  her 


STRANGE   GUESTS.  13 

hopeless,  and  she  asked,  "  But  how  would  a  stran- 
ger go  to  work  to  find  your  friends  ?  " 

"  Oh,  let  him  give  it  out  in  meetin',  dear  missus. 
Dat's  de  way  to  find  out  what  yer  lost  down  dere. 
Once  1  was  in  a  meetin'  in  dat  city,  and  just  arter 
dey  had  sung  de  benediction,  de  minister  was  axed 
to  give  out  dat  a  woman  had  lost  her  henkecher ; 
and  bless  you,  it  wasn't  a  minute  afore  a  little  boy 
fetched  it  up,  Dere's  a  colored  preacher  down 
dere  got  a  mighty  big  crowd  of  a  church,  —  Bill 
xiiken.  Now  let  de  minister  ax  Bill  to  speak  out 
arter  sarmon,  and  say,  '  Is  dere  anybody  in  dis 
crowd  dat  has  met  up  wid  Rosa  Le  Rue,  dat  got 
scattered  in  de  war  ?  or  wid  Dr.  Percy's  three 
women  ?  or  wid  Dike  and  Sampson,  de  sons  of 
de  Doctor's  Weza?  or  wid  lame  Jim  dat  Widow 
Waters  owned  ? " 

"  AVell,  my  good  man,"  said  the  lady,  smiling  at 
the  amount  of  work  laid  out  for  her  invalid  hus- 
band, "  you  must  let  me  write  all  this  down,  for  I 
can  never  remember  the  names." 

"  Yes,  missus,  I'll  do  dat,  cheerful,"  replied 
Zack,  with  a  patronizing  bow.  "  May  be  Bill 
W(juld  ax,  'Is  yaller  Dave  in  dis  crowd  dat  bor- 
rowed ten  dollars  of  Zack  Cam'ron,  when  de  regi- 
ment was  dismissed  ?  If  so,  he  must  forred  that 
same  io  said  Zack  to  buy  boots  wid  afore  the  snow 
comes  up  North.' " 


14  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Yes,  yes,  dat's  true,  Zack  ;  derc  will  soon  be 
snow  here,"  reiterated  the  little  brown  woman, 
drawing  her  thin  shawl  more  closely  about  her. 

"  But  are  you  sure  Bill  Aiken  will  ask  all  these 
questions  in  meeting  ?  "  asked  the  lady. 

''  Oh,  yes,  hell  ax  'em.  He's  a  mighty,  feelin' 
sort  of  a  fellow.  But,  if  he  refuse,  why,  the  min- 
ister must  iust  make  him  do  it.  He  must  threaten 
to  turn  him  out  of  -de  church  for  contempt  o' 
court ;  dat's  de  way  Bill  hisself  does  to  sich  as 
don't  do  his  bidding." 

"  But  my  husband  has  no  power  there,  not  even 
a  vote  in  that  church,"  said  the  lady. 

'•  Well,  well,  dat's  queer.  A  larned  doctor  of 
divinity  got  less  power  den  black  Bill  Aiken  dat 
sweeps  de  bank  and  makes  de  fires  week  days,  and 
only  preaches  of  a  Sunday !  But  if  nobody  in  dat 
crowd  knows  where  any  of  our  people  is,  den  tell 
de  minister  to  go  to  old  Aunt  Sally's  candy  shop, 
in  St.  Cyprian  Street,  and  ax  her.  Dere  ain't 
nothing  in  de  whole  creation  dat  she  don't  know 
in  de  way  of  news.  She  keeps  de  run, of  every 
livin'  creetur,  bond  and  free.  Do  church 'mothers 
(deaconesses)  sot  out  once  to  have  her  turned  out 
of  de  church  for  a  busy  body  ;  but  bless  yer,  de 
next  time  dey  vranted  to  knovr  de  news  dey  went 
to  her  demselves  —  de  poor  weak  women.     So  dey 


STRANGE   GUESTS.  15 

let  her  off,  and  Bill  give  his  reasons  in  a  sarmon. 
He  said  dc  church  was  a  body  made  of  many 
members,  some  was  legs  to  run,  others  was  hands 
to  work ;  '  most  o'  you  women,'  says  he,  '  is  ears  to 
listen,  and  Aunt  Sally  she's  dc  tongue  to  talk.  I 
don't  know  as  it's  any  wickeder  to  talk  den  it  is  to 
listen.' 

"  Aunt  Sally  has,  no  doubt,  got  de  run  of  all  do 
scattered  ones  by  dis  time  ;  and  she'll  tell  dc  min- 
ister 'bout  our  people." 

"Yes,  yes,  she'll  tell  him  'bout  our  people," 
said  Weza,  "  and  may  be  de  Lord  will  heal  my 
heart  yet." 

"  We  should  like  to  hear  about  your  troubles, 
little  woman,"  said  one  of  the  ladies. 

Weza  dropped  her  head,  and  replied,  "  I'm  a 
mighty  poor  talker,  I'm  so  bashful,  but  dere  is  a 
heap  to  tell,  and  Zack  can  talk  powerful  fine.." 

*'  If  you'll  come  in  some  evening  and  tell  us  all 
about  your  life,  I'll  give  you  a  new  dress,"  said  the 
lady  of  the  house. 

"  Dere,  dere,  now  yer  got  her,  ladies,"  cried 
Zack  ;  "  you've  touched  de  spot  now,  for  she,  like 
all  de  rest  of  de  poor  weak  women,  is  mighty  fond 
of  fine  clothes.  Ill  fetch  her  in  some  night  a 
purpose  to  talk  of  her  life,  —  i)oor  little  woman." 

''  My  life   hasn't  been   wliat  slaves  call  a  hard 


IG  OUT   OF  THE   AVILDERXESS. 

one,  ladies,"  said  Weza,  "  for  no  man  ever  laid  a 
lash  on  me,  —  never.  But  de  partin's,  and  de  sep- 
arations, and  de  langin's,  and  de  achin's,  and  de 
dreams,  —  Oh,  dat's  what  wore  me  up." 

"  Yes,  dat's  it,  missus  ;  she's  such  a  lovin'  cree- 
tur,  she  can't  be  happy  no  how  without  somethin' 
to  love  ;  and  'em  boys  —  she  wouldn't  know  'em 
if  she  met  *em  —  and  yet  she  yarns  and  yarns 
arter  'em  in  a  way  dat's  pitiful  to  see.  And  if  de 
good  Lord  spares  me  to  get  ahead  a  little,  I'll  find 
'em  if  I  tarns  up  every  State  in  do  Union  a  tryin'. 
De  Lord  knows  where  dey  is,  and  he'll  let  me 
know." 


CHAPTER   II. 

THE   STORY   OF   A   CLUMSY   LIFE. 

ZACK  was  as  good  as  his  word ;  he  did  bring  the 
little  brown  woman  to  the  minister's  one  even- 
ing soon  after  their  first  visit  there.  But  he  made 
a  sliglit  mistake  in  his  errand,  for  instead  of  en- 
couraging her  to  tell  the  story  of  her  life,  he  spent 
the  time  in  giving  his  own.  He  explained  liis 
course  by  saying,  that,  as  they  were  twain  as  well 
as  one,  it  took,  two  stories  to  make  it  all  out,  and 
that  he,  having  been  born  first,  and  moreover, 
being  "  de  head  .of  de  woman,"  thought  it  but 
proper  to  begin  the  tale. 

His  argument  was  quite  satisfactory,  and  with  a 
beaming  face  Zack  related  the  story  of  what  he 
called  ''  a  mighty  clumsy  sort  of  life." 

"  My  missus,"  he  began,  ''  said  I  must  ha'  been 
named  in  sport  foi*  '  Zaccheus  He  ; '  but  I  never 
lieerd  my  mother  say  so.  I  was  a])out  iivQ  year 
old  when  she  and  I  was  sold  witli  a  gang  to  go 

17 


18  OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS.       . 

from  Yirginny  to  a  sugar  plantation  in  Lou'sanny. 
She  was  just  my  color,  and  a  powerful  l)ig  woman. 
She  held  up  her  head  like  she  owned  all  de  planta- 
tions round.  She  never  make  free  wid  nobody, 
nor  sing  songs,  nor  dance  wid  'em.  At  home  she 
carry  de  keys  and  give  out  stores  and  de  like,  and 
I  never  knew  why  she  was  sold.  But  I  remember 
hearin'  her  say  den,  dat  no  one  should  ever  hear  a 
groan  or  see  a  tear  'bout  it,  but  jist  only  de  dear 
Lord. 

"  A  goin'  down  de  coast,  dey  had  high  times, 
fiddlin'  and  dancin'  to  keep  up  dere  courage  and 
make  'em  forget  all  dey  had  left  behind.  But  she 
sot  off  from  de  rest ;  and  when  dey  got  through 
she  would  sort  of  preach  to  'em,  and  read  out  of  a 
book  she  kept  in  a  roll,  wid  other  things,  in  her 
pocket.  She  would  tell  'em  'bout '  Jesus,  how  he 
loved  de  poor  and  de  mise'ble,  and  how  he  died  on 
de  cross,  and  how  he  rose  again,  and  how  a  cloud 
received  him  out  of  sight,  but  dat  he  was  livin'  yet 
up  dere,  and  stoopin'  down  to  listen  to  hear  when 
anybody  calls  on  him.  De  wicked  ones  in  de 
gang  said  she  was  too  proud  to  dance  wid  field 
hands  ;  and  one  bad  man  called  her  '  De  queen  o' 
Sheby  ; '  and  den  de  rest  call  her  so,  and  finally 
she  went  by  de  name  of  '  Sheby,'  always,  'stead 
o'  by  Carline,  on  de  new  place. 


THE  STORY   OF   A    CLUMSY   LIFE.  19 

"When   wc   got   to  de   plantation,  dcro   was  a 
great  panic  dcre  wid  de  small  pox  ;  and  de  worse 
cases  was  in  de  mansion  house.     De    massa   had 
got  a  doctor  to  give  medicine,  and  a  minister  to 
pray ;  but  dey  had  no  nurse  dat  knew  any  thing 
about  de  sickness.     So  after  a  few  days,  wid  de 
leave  of  de  -overseer,  my  mammy  put  on  de  white 
turban  she  brought  in  de  roll  wid  de  book,  and 
taking  me  by  de  hand,  marched  up  to  de  big  house, 
and  axed  for  de  lady.     And  says  she,  '  Madam,  de 
Lord  sent  me  from  Virginny  to  help  yer  in  de  hour 
o'  need!     Take  me  to  dem  sick  chiPen  and  yer 
go  to  rest.     I've  heerd  dat  yer  is  one  of  de  massi- 
ful,  and  de  dear  Lord  says  dey  are  '  blessed,  for  dey 
shall  find  massie.'     Yer  have  listened  to  de  cries 
from  de  house  o'  bondage,  and  de  Lord  has  heerd 
yer  cry  now  dat  yer  are  in  distress  !     Yer  children 
is  tvholefrom  dis  hour!  " 

"'Dey  can't  live,"  says  de  lady.  ' De  doctor 
has  give  'em  over,  all  three  — my  beautiful  boy, 
and  my  sweet  little  twin  daughters.  How  can  I 
live  if  dey  are  taken  ? ' 

"  '  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  de  Lord  ?  '  says  my 
mammy.  '  He  has  sent  me  here  wid  dis  message, 
dear  cretur,  "Dey  shall  not  die,  but  live;"  so  don't 
yer  dare  to  doubt  him  !     Go  and  rest  and  give  dem 


20  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

into  my  hand ;  but  my  child,  dat  is  as  dear  to 
me  as  yers  is  to  yer,  ynust  stay  in  dis  house.'' 

"  De  lady  looked  a  little  skeart  at  first,  Imt  soon 
axed  '  Are  you  de  woman  they  call  "  Sheba,"  dat 
I've'  heerd  on  ? ' 

"  And  from  de  hour  my  mother  took  dem  chil- 
dren in  hand  dey  begun  to  mend ;  and  she  was 
ever  after  de  queen  o'  Slieby  dere,  I  tell  you.  She 
reigned  in  de  mansion  house  ! 

*'  I  come  up  a  mighty  favored  boy,  widout  much 
to  do  but  only  to  play  with  the  chil'en.  When 
de  little  twins  got  big  enough  to  go  to  school,  I 
used  to  take  'em  dere —  a  mile  off  to  another  gen- 
Tman's  gov'ness.  De  two  didn't  weigh  half  as 
much  as  I  did ;  and  sometimes  1  would  draw  'em 
in  a  little  coach,  and  sometimes  carry  one  on  each 
arm,  in  a  big  basket,  and  agin  I'd  give  'em  turn 
about  on  my  back !  We  used  to  have  high  times 
a  singin'  and  laughin'  through  de  brakes.  How 
dem  two  little  ones  loved  me,  and  I  loved  dem ! 
And  as  for  young  master,  dat  was  'bout  my  age,  he 
loved  me  like  I  was  his  brother,  and  I  worshipped 
him ! 

"  De  people  all  thought  my  mammy  was  a 
prophet,  and  I  reckon  she  was.  De  wicked  ones 
was  awful  'feared  of  her.  De  family  had  a  kind  o' 
vineration  for  her,  and  she  'bout  rule  de  plantation. 


THE   STORY   OF    A    C'LUMSY   LIFE.  21 

If  (Icre  was  trouble  'tween  de  poor  field  hands  and 
de  overseer,  she'd  march  down  dere  and  look  into 
it;  and  den  she  would  go  straight  to  de  missus  and 
warn  her  against  bringing  down  de  cuss  o'  heaven 
on  do  place  by  winking  at  do  oppression  of  de  poor 
dat  was  cryin'  day  and  night  to  do  Lord.  Den  de 
missus  —  oh,  she  was  de  lovin'  woman!  she'd  go 
to  her  husband,  and  she'd  plead  wid  him  and  give 
him  no  peace  till  he'd  go  down  and  put  a  rein  on 
de  overseer  —  a  bad,  cruel  man  from  de  North  ! 

"  My  mammy  sot  up  a  meetin',  too,  and  used  to 
preach,  and  pray,  and  sing.  She  always  wound  up 
her  sermon  with  something  like  dis :  De  Lord  has 
heerd  de  cry  of  de  needy  and  dem  dat  has  no 
helper,  and  has  put  on  his  garments  dyed  in  blood. 
'He's  gettin'  ready  de  sword,  and  de  spear,  and  de 
battle-axe,  and  de  chariots,  and  de  horses  for  de 
day  o'  slaughter!  And  soon  yer'll  hear  de  roar 
o'  cannon,  and  de  drum,  and  de  bugle ;  and  den 
yer'll  know  de  great  and  terrible  day  o'  de  Lord 
has  come  for  dis  nation —  de  day  in  which  he  will 
reckon  wid  'em  for  de  blood  and  tears,  and  groans 
of  our  people  !  And  dat  day  is  near.  I  hear  de 
sound  of  war  a'ready  in  de  still  hour  when  all  but 
me  is  sleepin',  and  when  I's  pressin'  the  Lord  to 
hasten  on,  and  cryin',  '  Why  tarry  de  wheels  of 
dy  chariot  ?  ' 


22  OUT   OP   THE   WILDERNESS. 

• 

'^  Such  like  talk  roused  de  overseer  when  he 
heerd  it,  and  he  told  de  massa,  and  massa  told  de 
missus  dat  she  must  stop  Shdjy  ;  and  den  de  mis- 
sus begged  my  mammy  not  to  talk  so  to  de  people. 
But  she  said  she  had  a  message  to  deliver  to  black 
and  white ;  and  dat  her  time  was  short  and  she 
must  tell  it.  So  den  de  massa  he  speak  sharp  to 
her ;  and  he  took  his  sarmon  and  his  prophecy. 
Says  she,  '  Yer  better  flee  to  God,  and  lay  down 
yer  wepons  o'  rebillion,  for  dere's  an  awful  reckon- 
ing ahead!  And  den  turnin'  to  me,  she  said, 
'  Dis  boy  will  be  a  free  man,  by  right,  not  by 
runnin'  off;  because  de  Lord  will  break  every 
chain  and  let  de  oppressed  go  free !  Stand  still, 
my  son,  and  2cait  for  de  salvation  o'  de  Lord,  and 
don't  run  like  a  coward.  Dis  proud  nation,  having^ 
beaten  and  cast  us  into  prison,  may  yet  be  forced 
to  go  and  bring  us  out  with  dere  own  hands  for 
fear  of  de  judgments  of  de  Lord  !  Perhaps  dis 
righteous  soul,'  she  said,  pointing  to  de  missus, 
'  may  save  dis  house ;  but  de  desolation  cometh, 
and  dese  swamps  and  brakes  shall  flow  wid  de 
blood  of  de  nobles  ?  not  my  little  lambs  dat  I  saved 
from  de  pestilence,  for  I've  got  dem  hid  up  safe 
under  de  wing  of  de  Almighty.  Now,  massa,  yer 
let  me  alone,  and  go  humble  yerself  before  de 
Lord,  and   pray  for   massy  in  dat   day — for  it's 


THE   STORY   OP   A   CLUMSY   LIFE.  23 

*  coniiii'  as  sure's  dere's  a  God  above  us  !     As  for  me 
.  1  shan't  see  it,  for  1  shall  soon  be  out  of  de  wil- 
derness ! ' 

"  She  was  consid'able  of  a  keer  on  'em,  for  talk 
she  would,  among  our  own  hands  and  other  folks' 
too!  I  reckons  dat  was  why  she  was  sold  from 
Virgin ny  ! 

"  De  planters  round   said  she'd  kick  up  an  in- 
surrection  if    she   wasn't   shut   up   quick.     First, 
massa  took  sides  wid  her,  and  said  she  teached 
de  people  to  be  patient  and  obey  dere  masters  in 
de  Lord.     But  his  neighbors  said  dey'd  shoot  her 
if  she   wasn't  sold   right  off!     Missus   was  nigh 
about  wild.     She  was  afeared  of  God,  and  she  told 
massa  she  wished  he  hadn't  a  slave  in  de  world ; 
dat   she'd    rather  be  poor  and  please  God;  and 
dat  she  would  not  have  de  woman  dat  had  saved 
her   children's   lives   sold.     She   said,   '  If    Slieby 
goes,  I'll  go  too;  for  I  believe  God  stays  where  she 
is  ! '     But  in  de  midst  of  do  rumpus,  God  took  do 
matter  into  his  own  hands.     Missus  went  into  de 
nursery  one  night  to  speak  to  her,  and  dere  she 
was  on  her  knees  before  de  children's  bed,  —  dead. 
De  dear  Lord  had  come  and  led  her  safe  out  of  de 
wilderness!     Very  soon  after.dat,  de  little  girls 
both  died,  of  de  scarlet  fever,  in  one  week.     Dey 
was  hid  up  safe  undci-  de  Almighty  wing,  as  she 
said  dey  would  be. 


24  OUT   OF   TUK    WILDKRNESS. 

"  My  poor  missus  was  nigh  licart-broke ;  but 
she  kept  sayin'  may  be,  as  Sheby  had  said,  dey 
was  saved  from  de  evil  to  come ;  and  she  vowed 
she  would  take  care  o'  me  for  Sheby's  sake ! 

"  I  was  so  strong  and  big,  dere  was  nothing  I 
couldn't  do ;  but  I  never  was  put  into  de  field.  I 
minded  my  young  massa's  horses,  and  rode  wid 
liim,  and  drove  de  carriage,  and  so  on.  Dey  tried 
very  hard  to  make  me  a  butler,  or  waiter,  or  some- 
thin'  like  dat;  but  I  broke  every  glass  dish  I 
touched,  and  spilt  de  gravy  on  de  company's 
clothes,  and  trod  on  dere  toes  when  I  went  to  pass 
tea  in  de  parlor.  So  missus  got  discouraged  ;  and 
said  she  didn't  know  what  to  make  on  me  no  how  ! 
But  I  can  tell  you  I  found  enough  to  do  one  way  or 
another ;  it  tooTi  one  man  to  wait  on  my  young 
gen'leman  ;  and  he  must  always  have  me  at  liis 
heels.  If  any  body  interfered  wid  me,  he'd  hit 
'em  a  lick  in  de  face  'fore  dey  knew  it ;  and  so  I 
can  stand  up  dis  day  before  de  world,  and  say, 
'  Here  is  a  slave  that  was  never  struck  by  no  man.' 
I  was  as  good-natured  as  a  kitten ;  but  I  had  a 
buried  feeling  in  me  dat  would  never  take  a  blow ! 
I  believe  in  dem  days,  'fore  I  knew  Christ,  and 
had  his  spirit,  I'd. have  murdered  any  man  dat 
would  ha'  tried  it.  I  was  always  a  tender-hearted 
man,  particular  to  little  chil'en  and  poor  weak 
women. 


THE   STORY   OF   A    CLUMSY   LIFE.  25 

*'  Well,  well,  de  years  rolled  on,  and  master  and 
missus  both  died,  and  my  young  massa  liitd  all  de 
])lantation  and  de  people  lor  his  own.  Den  my 
word  went  a  good  way,  I  tell  you.  He  fixed  up  de 
quarters,  and  added  to  de  rations  and  do  clothes, 
and  give  more  holidays  ;  and  den  we  got  a  new 
overseer  dat  had  a  heart  into  him.  And  we  never 
got  so  much  work  done  'fore  by  de  same  hands. 
And  de  thorns  and  de  nails  was  took  out  of  slavery 
dere  for  dat  year,  on  our  plantation. 

"  But  it  does  seem  as  if  men  can  never  '  let  well 
enough  alone.'  My  young  massa  went  u|)  North 
to  de  springs ;  and  dere  he  fell  in  wid  a  lady  dat 
had  been  to  a  boardin'  school  somewhere  or 
nother.  She  was  a  rich  man's  daughter  from  de 
coast  o'  Floridy  ;  and  didn't  dey  strike  up  all  of  a 
suddent  and  get  married  ?  He'd  never  seen  a 
blessed  one  dat  belonged  to  her.  He  mought  ha' 
found  ivhiter  ones  workin'  on  many  a  plantation ; 
and  such  an  eye  as  she  had !  Why,  it  seemed  to 
cut  right  into  yer  when  she  looked  at  yer.  De 
long  and  de  short  on't  was  dat  she  was  a  tarma- 
gant  and  a  fury  in  shape  of  a  lady.  Strange 
enough,  dfere  were  slaves  on  do  plantation  dat 
knew  her  —  had  lived  nigh  by  her  —  and  dey  said 
her  father  was  a  wracker  off  de  coast ;  dat  he 
'lured  ships  on   to  de  rocks  by  false    lights,  and 


26  OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

when  dey  struck  he  had  boats  and  men  all  ready 
to  plunder  'em ;  and  dat  he  had  laid  up  heaps,  and 
bags,  and  barrels  of  gold,  and  diamonds,  and 
everyting. 

"  Well,  she  begun  with  young  massa  ;  and  I  tell 
you,  she  trained  him  up  handsome!  He  was 
mighty  easy  to  begin  wid,  and  wlien  she'd  got  her 
heel  on  him,  she  took  de  house  servants  next,  and 
den  de  field  hands.  She  driv  off  de  overseer,  and 
overturned  all  we'd  done  for  de  comfort  of  de 
people.  She  sot  an  evil  eye  mighty  quick  on  me. 
But  I  looked  her  right  back  in  de  eye  as  long  as 
she  could  stan'  it.  I  drew  illyself  up,  and  looked 
very  savage,  meanin'  to  skear  her  if  I  could ;  and 
she  told  de  massa  she  was  'feard  o'  me ;  I  was  so 
big  and  so  black  she  knew  I'd  kill  her  some  day. 

"  But  he  give  me  a  great  character,  and  told  her 
I  was  the  importantest  man  on  de  plantation,  and 
and  dat  de  whole  consarn  would  •  go  to  ruin  if  I 
wasn't  dere. 

"  Well,  dere  was  hard  times  in  our  house,  I  tell 
you ;  dere  was  more  tears  shed  den  dan  ever  be- 
fore since  it  was  built.  She  would  strike  her 
maid  wid  whatever  come  handy,  and  throw  cheers 
and  books  at  de  women  and  chil'ren.  De  young 
massa  saw  it  all,  but  he  was  trapped  now,  and 
couldn't  help  hisself.     Once  he  said  to  me, '  Yer 


THE  STORY  OP  A   CLUMSY  LIFE.  27 

see  how  it  is,  Zack ;  make  things  as  easy  as  yer 
can  for  de  servants,  and  give  'em  a  cheerin'  word, 
poor  things.' 

"  One  day  when  massa  had  gone  off  to  a  'lection 
dinner  in  de  city,  she  come  out  on  de  verandy 
wid  '  de  knife  in  her  eye,'  as  de  women  used  to 
say,  and  called  out, '  Whose  baby  is  dat  screamin' 
so?' 

"  She  made  de  woman  bring  de  child  to  her,  and 
she  slapped  it  in  de  face  over  and  over,  and  o' 
course  it  screamed  more.  De  mother  run,  sayin', 
'  De  baby's  sick,'  and  she  chased  her,  and  struck 
de  baby  a  big  blow  on  de  head.  I  saw  her  from  de 
carriage-house,  and  at  first  I  thought  she  bein'  only 
a  poor  weak  woman,  I'd  let  her  slap  her  temper 
out,  and  may  be  she'd  feel  better.  But  when  I 
saw  her  run  after  de  woman,  I  thought  she  meant 
to  kill  de  child,  so  I  run  too.  I  come  up  behind 
her,  and  I  took  her  little  wrists  right  between  my 
thumb  and'  forefinger,  and  held  her  tight.  Den  I 
told  Dely  to  go  into  de  kitchen  and  nuss  up  de 
baby  with  camphire  and  such  like.  Young  missus 
turned  round,  and  when  she  see  me  she  screamed 
like  I  was  a  tiger,  and  tried  to  get  away ;  but  I 
held  on,  and  de  house  servants  was  all  a  peepin' 
out  o'  doors  and  windows,  hopin'  I'd  kill  her,  and 
den   run.     But  I  was  just  as  ca'm  as  I  be  this 


28  OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS. 

minute.  I  held  her  till  she  got  quiet  and  begun  to 
cry,  like  any  poor  weak  woman.  Den  I  let  go  on 
one  wrist,  and  led  her  back  to  de  house  by  de 
other.  I  threw  my  voice  down  very  low,  and  says 
I,  looking  mighty  savage,  '  Go  to  your  room, 
missus,  and  stay  dere  till  massa  come  home,  or 
dere'U  be  trouble  here.'  She  flew  in  and  locked 
de  door  behind  her,  as  if  poor  Zack  had  been  a 
murderer  after  her  life.  She  forgot  dat  she'd 
nigb  about  taken  dat  baby's. 

"  I  went  to  de  stable  den  and  harnessed  a  boss 
and  set  off  for  de  city  to  meet  massa,  and  ride 
home  wid  him.  And  as  we  come  along  together, 
I  told  him  all  about  it,  and  showed  him  just  how 
I  held  her.  '  Dat's  de  livin'  truth, '  says  I, 
'  whatever  she  says  ;  and  I  did  it  to  save  you  bein' 
de  husband  of  a  murderer." 

"  '  Yer  did  just  right,  Zack, '  says  he,  '  and  I 
thank  yer.  But  how  am  1  going  to  put  through 
life  dis  way  ?  Sometimes  I  wish  I  was  dead, 
Zack;  but  yer  de  only  man  on  earth  I'd  say  dis 
to.  I'd  give  my  whole  plantation  to  be  back 
where  I  was  before  I  ever  saw  her.' 

"  And  when  we  got  home  he  went  into  de 
kitchen  to  see  de  baby  'fore  he  ever  went  near 
her  ;  dat  was  his  mother's  heart  in  him  —  and  he 
stroked  it  and  whistled  to  it ;  but  it  didn't  look  up. 


THE   STORY   OF   A   CLUMSY   LIFE.  29 

*  Dely,'  says  he,  '  I'm  sorry  for  dis  from  dc  bottom 
of  my  lieart.  Don't  cry ;  it'll  brighten  up 
to-morrow.' 

"  Dely  sobbed  and  sobbed,  but  all  de  words  she 
said  was,  '  If  he  dies,  massa,  I'll  jump  into  de  old 
well.  I  couldn't  live  to  'member  dat  my  sick  baby 
was  murdered  in  my  arms.' 

''  And  I  tell  you  it  would  a  brung  tears  out  o' 
Northern  eyes,  that  can't  see  no  good  thing  in  a 
slaveholder,  to  ha'  seen  dat  splendid  young  man 
sit  down  on  a  bench  in  de  kitchen,  and  take  de 
baby  on  his  knee,  and  feel  its  pulse",  and  give  it 
drops  to  bring  it  to.  But  dere  it  lay  like  dead,  and 
he  had  to  leave  it  at  last  wid  Dely  and  old  Hannah, 
for  de  night. 

"  As  we  went  out  of  de  kitchen,  Dely  said, '  0, 
Lord,  I  wish  I  was  out  of  de  wilderniss,  for  I'm 
sick  and  tired  of  dis  yere  life !.' 

"  I  never  heerd  what  passed  between  massa  and 
missus  'bout  de  baby  or  me,  but  very  soon  arter  de 
baby  died,  massa  told  me  dere  would  be  no  peace 
while  I  stayed  there  ;  and  dat  I  must  go  up  river 
to  his  uncle's  for  a  year  or  two  ;  '  We'll  call  it 
selling  yer,'  says  he,  '  but  yer  and  I  understand 
each  other,  Zack  ;  anct  I  hope  we  shan't  be  sepa- 
rated long.' 

"  And  de  next  week  I  went  up  wid  my  massa  to 


30  OUT   OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

Col.  Leon's  plantatiou  ;  and  dat  was  a  lucky  trip 
for  me,  for  it  was  in  dat  neighborhood  I  first  saw 
dis  dear  little  brown  woman  dat  has  made  me  so 
happy  dese  long  years." 


CHAPTER  m. 

A   BROKEN   PROMISE. 

THE  little  browu  woman  came  to  the  parsonage 
very  often  after  this,  "for  a  comfortin'  word  in 
de  wilderness."  She  told  her  story,  and  received, 
beside  her  new  dress,  the  sympathy  of  every  heart 
there. 

At  the  time  when  Zack  was  carrying  his  master's 
children  in  baskets  or  on  his  back,  always  busy  but 
never  at  work,  "  Weza  "  was  in  the  adjacent  city,  a 
child  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Percy,  where  her  mother 
was  a  favorite  slave.  As  she  was  well  treated,  both 
in  the  kitchen  and  in  the  parlor,  there  were 
"  neither  nails  nor  thorns  "  in  her  lot,  till  she  came 
to  years  of  understanding ;  then  she  felt  her  fetters, 
for  although  they  were  soft,  they  were  strong. 

"  Weza  "  grew  up  a  gentle  and  active  child,  with 
whom  the  most  exacting  mistress  could  scarcely 
have  found  fault.  It  is,  then,  little  wonder  that  as 
the  white  children  of  the  house  di-opped  one  after 

31 


32  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

anotlier  into  the  grave,  slie  became  a  bumble  pet  in 
the  family.  When  she  was  about  twelve  years  old 
her  mother  fell  sick,  and  knew  tliat  her  end  was 
near.  She  sent  for  her  master  and  mistress,  and 
holding  her  child  by  the  hand,  she  said,  "  Massa, 
I've  got  gt/ew  words  for  yer,  afore  1  leave  dis  world. 
What  de  livin'  woman  wouldn't  dare  to  say,  de  dy- 
in'  woman  may.  No  man  can  be  angry  wid  a  feller 
creetur  dat's  a  strugglin'  wid  de  last  enemy,  and 
dat's  all  I  can  battle  wid  to  day.  Ye've  always 
held  me  up  as  an  example  of  contentment  to  yer 
people  when  dey  got  restless.  May  be  yer  thought 
I  was  as  easy  in  de  halter  and  de  collar  as  yer  bos- 
ses and  yer  dogs.  But  that  isn't  true.  My  innerd 
soul  has  relielled  against  slavery  from  the  hour  I 
first  felt  de  chain ;  and  de  older  1  growed  de  deeper 
dat  chain  has  cut  into  my  soul.  Ye've  been  kind 
as  fur  as  good  words  and  good  victuals  and  warm 
clothes  has  gone,  but  ye've  been  cruel  to  my  soul, 
massa.  Yer  shut  me  out  from  de  knowledge  of  de 
Lord  Jesus,  and  I  might  as  well  been  brung  up  in 
Africa  fur  all  de  religion  I  ever  heard  on  till 
Massa  Lorton  bought  old  Job,  and  so  brung  G-jd 
into  dis  street.  Old  Job  has  got  de  Scriptur'  all 
burnt  into  his  soul,  and  he  can't  open  his  mouth  but 
de  fire  comes  out.  I've  got  de  Gospel  light  in  my 
soul  now,  and  dat  makes  de  grave  shine  like  heav- 


A   BROKEN   PROMISE.  33 

en,  and  look  so  beautiful  I  When  de  great  day  come, 
and  dc  Lord  ax  me,  '  Who  led  you  to  glory,  Molly  I ' 
I  must  say,  '  Not  de  rich  man  dat  put  a  soft  chain 
round  my  neck  and  hold  me  by  it ;  not  de  pleasant 
lady  whose  babies  I  nussed  and  laid  in  de  coffni  ; 
but  an  old  plantation  nigger,  all  worked  out,  dat 
was  bought  by  his  son's  master  out  of  pity.  I'll 
have  to  tell  dat  yer  two  dressed  up  in  silk,  and  satin, 
and  l)roadcloth,  and  earings,  and  gold  headed  cane, 
and  velvet  prayer  book,  and  sot  off'mong  a  gay 
crowd  every  Sunday  morning  to  see  'bout  gettin' 
yer  own  souls  saved  wid  masses  and  high  music  ; 
and  left  us  black  folks  to  get  a  big  dinner  for  com- 
pany, like  we  hadn't  any  souls.  For  all  ye've 
done,  massa,  I  mought  be  going  out  into  de  black 
night,  'steady  o'  steppin'  into  de  river  all  alive  with 
glory,  and  seein'  the  Blessed  One,  as  I  do  dis 
minute,  a  waitin'  for  me  on  'tother  bank." 

"  Molly,"  said  the  doctor  in  a  subdued  tone,  "  you 
surely  are  not  cursing  your  kind  master  with  your 
last  breath  ?  " 

"  I'm  a  blessin'  'stead  of  cursin'  yer,  massa.  I 
want  to  save  yer  from  believin'  a  lie.  Yer  may 
think  'case  yer  'lowed  no  lashes  laid  on,  but  ruled 
by  sellin'  folks  off  when  dey  didn't  please  you,  dat 
de  great  Lord  will  a'most  thank  yer  for  your  good- 
ness when  yer  stand  before  him.     But  I  tell  yer, 


34  OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

he'll  bring  yer  square  up  to  de  mark,  and  lay  de 
sins  of  our  ignorance  on  yer  soul  dat  has  kept  us 
in  the  dark.  He'll  say, '  Go  'way,  yer  dat  shut  out 
de  light  from  de  souls  I  made,  and  'most  made  'em 
think  dey  was  cattle  of  de  field,  and  at  the  same 
time  he  will  call  up  old  Job,  but  you  won't  know 
him,  may  be,  for  de  glory  dat's  round  about  him  ; 
and  he'll  put  a  crown  on  his  grey  head,  and  he'll 
say,  ^  Come  up  higher,  yer  blessed  old  man.'  He'll 
put  a  weddin'  garment  on  old  Job,  and  a  ring  on 
his  finger,  and  kiver  him  all  over  wid  shinin'  glory, 
so  dat  yer'U  wish  you  was  old  Job  'stead  of  de 
rich  and  fine  Dr.  Percy. 

"  But  dat  day  haint  come,  massa  and  missus. 
Dere's  yet  left  time  for  repentance,  and  my  advice  is 
dat  yer  heave  away  yer  fine  music  religion  dat  has 
no  Christ  into  it,  and  go  sit  down  and  larn  of  old 
Job  de  way  to  de  lovin'  Jesus.  I'll  pray  fur  yer 
wid  my  last  breath." 

"  Thank  you,  Molly ; "  said  the  doctor,  kindly, 
"  and  now  tell  me  if  I  can  do  any  thing  to  make 
your  mind  easy  about  poor  little  Louisa." 

"  Yes  massa,  yer  can  do  dat." 

"  What  is  it  ?  " 

"Give  my  little  Weza  her  freedom,  and  teach 
her  dat  she's  born  for  a  woman,  and  not  for  a  pet 
kitten.      Will  yer  make  her  free  ?  " 


A   BROKEN   PROMISE.  35 

"  Yes,  Sally,  I  will  for  your  sake,  for  you've  been 
a  good  and  faithful  woman  to  us." 

"  When  will  yer  do  it.  Now  ?  Wliile  I  lives  to 
know  it?"    ' 

"  No,  Sally,  I  can't  do  it  now  ;  but  I  will  just  as 
soon  as  I  can  without  making  trouble  among  the 
other  servants,"  replied  the  doctor,  wiping  a  tear 
from  his  eye. 

"  If  yer  could  look  into  eternity,  as  I  do  now, 
massa,  Oh,  how  glad  ye'd  be  to  get  the  whole  on 
'em  ofif  your  hands.  Dey'll  be  a  heavy  drag  on 
yer  soul  I  tell  yer,  in  that  great  and  terrible  day." 

Then  she  turned  to  little  Weza,  and  said,  "  Well, 
den  if  it's  de  Lord's  will,  I  must  leave  dis  child 
still  a  slave.  But  mind,  massa,  ye've  promised  a 
dyin'  woman  to  set  her  child  free.  In  de  meantime 
I  ax  no  more  favors  deii  she's  had  ;  and  I  die  easy 
dat  no  lash  will  never  fall  on  her  shoulders  while 
she's  in  yer  hands.  My  head's  tired  and  swims 
now,"  she  said  ;  and  then  her  mind  wandered  back 
to  the  day  she  entered  the  vessel  at  Richmond,  sold 
to  go  South  away  from  all  she  loved.  "  All  aboard 
now,  cap' en,"  she  murmured.  "  Pull  up  de  anchor 
quick,  and  let's  get  away  from  de  sight  and  de 
groans  of  my  old  mother  on  de  shore.  Good-by, 
old  Virgiuny  home." 


36  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

The  faithful  nurse  had  uttered  her  last  words, 
and  slept  away  her  few  remaining  hours. 

It  was  some  time  before  the  doctor  and  his  wife 
got  over  this  scene.  For  several  Sundays  they 
stayed  away  from  mass  and  gave  no  dinner 
parties,  being  almost  afraid  of  the  gay  dress  and 
the  hollow  forms  against  which  poor  Molly  had 
warned  them.  But  a  change  of  seasons  brought  a 
change  of  garments,  and  the  warning  did  not 
attach  itself  to  the  new  ones.  Then  they  returned 
again  to  their  own  services  and  to  their  Sunday 
parties. 

Weza  grew  up  in  the  house,  performing  a  little 
very  light  labor  which  was  scarcely  more  than 
play.  She  ran  errands,  polished  the  silver,  fed  the 
dogs  and  kittens,  attended  to  the  canaries,  and 
watered  the  fiowers.  But  she  was  not  taught  any 
thing  which  would  make  lifc^asy  when  its  burdens 
should  fall  on  her. 

When  almost  a  child,  she  was  married  by  her 
master  to  a  young  mulatto,  also  belonging  to  him, 
and  life  seemed  as  fair  before  her  as  before 
any  young  slave.  Soon  after  her  marriage,  she 
asked  her  master  to  do  as  he  had  promised  her 
"mammy,"  and  to  set  her  free  now.  The  answer 
was,  "  By-and-by."  But  before  "  by-and-by  "  came, 
9,  little  slave  bov  was  born  in  the  house.     With  the 


A   BROKEN   PROMISE.  37 

birth  of  that  chikl,  Weza  woke  to  a  real  sense  of 
what  slavery  was,  and  her  heart  was  *crnslied 
beneatli  a  sense  of  injustice  and  wrong  both  to  her- 
self and  her  child.  She  felt  tliat  had  lier  master 
fulfilled  the  pledge  made  to  her  dying  mother,  this 
baby  would  have  been  free. 

Again,  after  tender  care  of  her  mistress  through 
a  long  illness,  she  repeated  her  request,  and  again 
was  told  that  her  papers  should  be  made  out  "  by- 
and-l)y,  when  it  could  be  done  without  making 
trouble  among  the  other  servants."  But  before 
the  arrival  of  the  promised  day,  she  held  another 
little  slave  in  her  arms. 

Her  husband  felt  as  keenly  as  herself  the  cruelty 
of  this  delay.  He  had  no  hope  of  freedom  him- 
self, but  he  had  gloried  in  it  for  his  children.  He 
had  neither  the  wisdom  nor  the  meekness  of  Weza 
to  help  him  bear  this  wrong.  So  he  spoke  to  his 
master,  and  received  a  stern  rebuke  for  his  inso- 
lence. In  reply,  he  said  morosely,  that  he  had 
always  vowed  no  child  of  his  should  ever  be  a 
slave,  and  that  he  would  bury  those  babies  alive 
rather  than  have  them  remain  in  bonda";e. 

Of  course  no  such  insolence  could  be  allowed  ; 
and  as  the  doctor  prided  himself  on  the  fact  that 
he  had  never  caused  a  slave  of  his  to  be  whipped, 
he  took  the  less  merciful  course  of  selling  him  on 


38  .  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

t 

the  block.  The  first  hint  poor  Weza  had  of  the 
quarrel,  ff'as  the  word  that  her  husband  was  gone 
with  a  "  gang  "  to  Texas ;  and  that  was  the  last 
she  ever  heard  of  the  father  of  her  children. 

And  the  years  rolled  on  amid  light  tasks, 
brightened  by  the  love  of  the  two  little  mulattoes, 
and  by  an  occasional  promise  of  freedom.  Liberty 
had,  however,  less  charms  for  her  now  that  she 
had  slave  sons,  but  still  she  fancied  that  once  free 
herself  she  could  soon  earn  money  to  purchase  them. 


CHAPTER  TV. 

THE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION.  • 

ONE  of  Weza's  boys  —  while  they  were  yet  little 
more  than  babies — swept  the  doctor's  office 
and  answered  the  door  bell ;  and  the  other,  a  hand- 
some child  with  the  roses  shining  through  his 
tawny  skin,  rode  with  his  master  and  held  the 
horse  while  he  was  calling  on  his  patients.  If 
they  had  been  his  own  sons  he  could  scarcely  have 
been  prouder  of  them,  and  nothing  gratified  him 
more  than  hearing  them  praised.  So  Weza  still 
had  them  with  her,  and  but  for  dreading  the  blank 
future  she  might  yet  have  been  happy. 

liut  in  tlie  midst  of  life  and  ^ngor,  the  doctor 
was  smitten  down  with  sudden  paralysis.  Then  he 
remembered  his  promise,  broken  both  to  the  living 
and  the  dead,  and'  in  his  first  lucid  moment  it  rose 
up  like  a  ghost  to  haunt  him. 

He  called  Weza  to  him,  and  said,  "  I  have  not 
forgotten  my  promise  to  your  mother,  and  now  I 

39 


40  OUT   OF   TQE   WILDERNESS. 

declare,  with  your  mistress  for  my  wifliess,  that 
the  first  day  I  am  able  to  do  it  I  will  make  out 
your  papers.     You  shall  certainly  be  free." 

"  O,  massa,  but  my  boys,"  cried  the  tender 
young  mother  —  for  she  was  still  very  young  — 
"  how  could  I  take  freedom  and  be  separated  from 
dem  ?  " 

Tlie  doctor  was  silent  for  some  time.  Con- 
science and  avarice  were  struggling  in  his  soul. 

"  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  have  been  so  slow  in  ful- 
filling my  promise  to  you  that  I  will  atone  for 
it  by  giving  the  boys  their  liberty  too ;  but  you 
must  all  stay  with  us.  I  will  hire  you.  I  can't 
part  with  those  little  fellows ;  the  house  would  be 
so  dull  without  their  merry  noise." 

"  We  will  stay-  wid  yer,  massa,  and  call  down 
heaven's  blessin's  on  yer  head  for  dis,"  replied  the 
hopeful  creature.  "  I  shall  den  know  dat  we  can 
never  be  sold  and  separated." 

That  night,  when  his  mind  wandered,  he  called 
out,  "  Bring  me  my  hat  and  my  cane ;  I  must 
go." 

His  wife  and  other  attendant  assured  him  he 
was  too  ill  to  walk,  but  still  he  called,  ''  Take  me 
to  the  court,  to  the  judge,  any  where  that  I  can 
get  Weza's  free  papers  !  Didn't  I  promise  MoHy  ? 
How  can  I  look  her  in  the  face  there  in  the  awful 


TBE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION.        41 

unknown  world,  with  tliis  broken  promise  on  my 
hand  'i  Send  for  old  Job,  I  want  to  ask  him  how 
they  make  light  to  shine  on  the  grave." 

Old  Job  had  been  years  in  his  grave,  but  he  was 
not  forgotten.  The  rich  and  wise  man  remem- 
bered that  he  knew  how  the  dark  valley  could  be 
lighted  and  the  cold  stream  crossed.  Though 
dead,  old  Job  was  speaking  still.  The  doctor 
could  not  rest  for  thoughts  of  that  broken  promise, 
added  to  all  else  that  lay  upon  his*heaii  in  that 
solemn  hour.  Then  his  wife,  hoping  to  relieve  his 
mind,  pledged  herself  that  she  would  surely  see  to 
the  free  papers  if  he  did  not  recover ;  and  thus 
calmed,  he  fell  asleep,  never  to  wake  again. 

The  doctor's  estate  passed  into  the  hands  of  a 
nephew,  a  well-meaning,  gay  young  fellow,  who 
never  had  dreamed  that  slaveholding  or  slave  sell- 
ing was  either  unmanly  or  sinful.  He  despised 
the  man  who  was  cruel  to  his  horse  or  his  negro, 
and  resolved  that  the  people  who  had  fallen  into  his 
hands  should  be  well  treated  and  made  happy. 

This  young  George  Percy  soon  came,  to  settle 
up  the  estate ;  and  his  aunt  thought  she  had 
nothing  to  do  but  to  tell  him  that  Weza  and  her 
boys  were  free  by  the  word  of  her  husband.  Bnt 
he  looked  on  the  statement  just  as  a  young  Xordi- 
erner  would  when  told  that  part  of  the  property 


42  OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

which  was  legally  his  must  be  thrown  into  the  sea 
or  the  fire.  He  had  no  idea  of  casting  away  fifteen 
hundred  or  two  thousand  dollars,  because  his  uncle 
had  told  him  to  do  it. 

"  If,"  he  said,  "  this  had  been  a  matter  of  con- 
science with  my  uncle,  he  would  have  attended  to 
it  in  life.  He  held  on  to  the  woman  and  her  boys 
as  long  as  he  could,  so  you  surely  cannot  expect 
me  to  make  a  sacrifice  for  his  conscience  which  he 
would  not  make  himself."  And  who  could  gain- 
say his  reasoning  ? 

Little  Dike  won  the  heart  of  the  young  man  at 
first  sight,  who  thought  he  was  pleasing  poor 
"JVeza  by  telling  her  that  he  was  going,  to  keep 
him  for  a  \)et  boy,  to  hunt,  and  fish  and  drive  with 
him. 

The  result  of  young  George  Percy's  visit  was  a 
sale  of  the  property,  including  the  slaves  belonging 
to  the  Percy  estate ;  the  widow  keeping  those  she 
had  brought  with  her,  that  she  might  return  them 
to  her  old  home  and  their  relatives.  And  so,  after 
all  the  promises  of  the  dead  to  the  dead  and  the 
living,  Weza  and  little  Sampson  were,  one  bright 
summer  morning,  with  thirty  others,  exposed  for 
sale  in  the  slave  market.  All  the  horrors  of 
plantation  life,  which  she  had  heard  described, 
rose  before  her,  and  she  begged  George  Percy  to 


THE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION.        43 

sell  herself  and  her  boy  to  one  man  ;  which  he 
promised,  if  possible,  to  do. 

When  her  turn  came  to  mount  that  block  which 
had  been  like  the  scaffold  to  hundreds  of  agonized 
hearts,  a  man  came  up,  and  said  to  her,  "  I  want  a 
nurse.     Are  you  kind  to  children  ?  " 

"  rd  be  kind,  sir,"  said  Weza,  "  to  any  livin' 
cretur'  ;  but  it  takes  happy  folks  to  make  little 
chiren  happy.  I'd  rather  work  harder,  so  as  to 
have  no  time  to  think  ;  for  my  heart's  broke." 

"Well,  I  don't  want  you.  I've  got  homesick 
folks  enough  about  me  now.  I'm  after  a  nierry- 
hearted  woman  for  my  nursery,"  repUed  the  man, 
as  he  gave  a  short  whistle  and  passed  on. 

The  bidding  began  on  "  a  faithful.  Christian 
woman,  born  and  brought  up  in  Dr.  Percy's 
family,  and  her  boy,  Sampson." 

Some  one  made  a  bid,  and  then  the  work  went 
on,  poor  Weza  being  too  faint  to  see  the  faces 
about  her.  Presently  she  heard  the  word,  "  Gone," 
and  the  boy,  pulling  her  skirts,  shrieked  out,  "  0, 
mammy,  dat  awful  ole  Frenchman  from  de  big 
plantation  in  B.  parish  has  bought  you  widoutme!'' 
And  at  these  words  she  fell  fainting  on  the  block, 
and  was  taken  up  by  the  man  in  attendance,  who 
gave  her  water,  and  spoke  cheerily  to  her  —  this 
was  part  of  his  business. 


44  OUT   OF  THE   ^\^LDERNESS. 

That  afternoon,  with  twenty  others,  Weza  sailed 
up  the  broad  river  towards  the  plantation,  whose 
owner,  fearing  neither  God  nor  man,  used  his 
slaves  up  fast,  and  was,  therefore,  constantly  re- 
placing them.  She  proved  the  poorest  bargain  he 
had  ever  made  in  the  slave-market,  for  she  fainted 
at  her  first  task  in  the  field. 

The  overseer,  whose  duty,  he  said,  was  "  not  to 
nurse  up  feeble  women,  but  to  get  all  the  work  he 
could  out  of  tough  ones,"  pronounced  her  worth- 
less for  field  work  ;  and  told  her  there  was  luck 
before  her,  as  she  must  be  sold  again.  Weza 
plead  with  him  to  try  her  one  week,  as  she  had 
lost  track  of  little  Sampson.  The  child  knew 
where  she  was,  and  she  had  a  faint  hope  that  some 
merciful  person  might  have  bought  him  who  would 
write  to  her  owner  about  him.  "If  I  go  away," 
she  said,  to  the  overseer,  "  111  lose  dis  boy  forever 
and  forever." 

But  the  man  "  couldn't  be  bothered  ;  "  and  to 
pacify  her,  he  said  tliere  was  a  small  planter  there 
from  higher  up  river,  just  now  looking  after  a 
woman  for  housework,  and  he'd  give  her  a  good 
name  to  him,  and  so  keep  the  run  of  her,  and  if 
her  boy  was  ever  heard  from,  he'd  let  her  know. 
He  was  not  a  brutal  man  ;  he  spoke  kindly  to  her, 
and  said,  "  Trust  me,  now,  to  look  up  that  boy." 


THE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION.        45 

Mrs.  Percy  had  parted  with  Weza  with  many 
regrets  and  some  twinges  of  conscience ;  but  these 
were  not  strong  enough  to  draw  the  purchase 
money  from  her  own  private  purse,  and  thus  to 
fulfill  her  promise  to  her  dead  husband,  and  wii>e 
that  stain  from  his  memory.  She  had,  however, 
given  her  a  trunk  well  filled  with  clothing  for  her- 
self and  her  boy,  into  which  Weza  had  put  all  the 
little  keepsakes  she  and  the  children  had  received 
at  Christmas  and  other  times,  with  half  of  a  torn 
New  Testament  which  old  Job  had  given  her 
mother,  who,  as  well  as  himself,  had  been  able  to 
read.  The  trunk,  however,  was  missing  when  she 
reached  the  Frenchman's  plantation,  and  she  set 
off  with  her  boorish  new  master  —  who  seemed  to 
occupy  a  middle  ground  between  the  planter  and 
the  poor  whites  —  with  nothing  but  a  clean  dress 
and  two  aprons,  tied  up  in  one  of  her  gay  turban 
handkerchiefs. 

"  0,  Lord  Jesus,"  she  whispered,  as  she  followed 
the  heavy  tread  of  Dave  Huggins  to  the  boat, 
"  come  down  and  lead  poor  Weza  out  o'  dis  wil- 
derness ?  I's  got  nobody  else  now ;  let  me  lean 
full  on  dee,  God  o'  my  mammy !  " 


CHAPTER  Y. 

DAVE   HUGGINS   "  AT   HOME." 

THE  crazy  little  steamer  La  Belle,  after  utter- 
ing several  ludicrous  shrieks,  landed  half  a 
dozen  passengers  at  "  Sandy  Bend,"  back  of  which 
lay  the  Huggins  plantation.  Weza,  with  her  little 
bundle  in  her  arms,  followed  Dave,  as  with  heavy 
steps  he  ploughed  up  the  sand,  leaving  deep  fur- 
rows behind  him.  She  walked  much  of  the  way 
with  her  eyes  closed,  and  her  lips  moving  in  silent 
prayer.  She  did  not  mean  to  be  heard,  but  once 
she  cried  out,  "  0,  Jesus ! "  laying  her  hand 
against  her  throbbing  heart,  when  Dave  turned 
round,  in  a  little  surprise,  and  exclaimed,  "A 
swearin's  ha  ?  Well,  now,  that  overseer  lied,  for 
he  gin  yer  a  character  for  a  Christian.  Yer  must 
quit  that,  for  it  only  wastes  yer  breath  without  do- 
in'  no  good.  Nor  I  don't  'low  no  drinkin',  nuther, 
on  my  place  ;  'cause  if  the  folks  get  that  habit, 
they'll  steal  my  gin,  and  besides,  they  won't  work 

46 


DAVE   HUGGINS   "  AT   HOME."  47 

SO  well.  I'm  a  powerful  moral  man,  though  I 
dou't  go  to  mooting.  I  have  a  religion  of  my  own, 
though  my  neighbors  don't  know  it,  'cause  I  keeps 
it  to  myself ;  and  I  won't  have  no  wickedness  about 
me.  It  don't  pay."  These  were  Dave  Huggins' 
moral  principles. 

"  I  was  only  prayin',  massa,  to  my  brother 
Jesus,"  rei)lied  Weza,  with  a  sigh.  "  He's  de  only 
one  dat  can  stick  to  me  now,  and  I  been  axin' 
Him  not  to  quit  me  for  one  minute,  fear  I  goes  wild 
'bout  my  boys  and  my  friends  to  de  doctor's." 

"•'  Pho  !  pho  !  "  cried  Dave,  cheerily,  still  plough- 
ing up  the  sand,  "  you'll  soon  get  over  this  and 
forget  'em  all.  Them  that's  been  sold  a  dozen 
times  don't  mind  it  a  bit." 

Weza  made  no  reply,  but  followed  on  till  they 
turned  from  the  road  into  a  lane  which  presented 
a  very  sudden  change.  The  pine  rails,  which  had 
once  formed  a  fence,  lay  scattered  on  the  ground 
just  where  they  had  fallen  from  time  to  time,  as 
their  props  decayed  ;  and  the  deep  cart  ruts,  with 
weeds  springing  on  either  side,  told  that  little  use 
was  now  made  of  the  lane,  either  for  business  or 
pleasure. 

They  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  house,  and  Weza, 
struck  by  its  contrast  with  her  old  house,  exclaim- 


48  OUT   OP   THE   WILDERNESS. 

ed,  forgetting  herself  for  the  moment,  ''  My  goody, 
sure,  dis  isn't  de  mansion  house,  massa  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  it's  the  biggest  house,  on  the  ground 
floor,  in  all  this  parish  ;  only  it  wants  a  little  fix- 
in'  up,"  replied  Dave,  triumphantly. 

"  A  little  fixin'  up  !  "  It  wanted  pulling  down 
for  fire-wood,  rather.  There  wasn't  a  firm  shingle 
or  clapboard  on  it.  The  roof  of  the  verandah  was 
propped  up  at  one  end,  where  the  original  pillars 
had  given  way,  by  two  unhewn  pine  trees,  stripped 
only  of  their  most  prominent  branches.  On  this 
verandah  was  a  settee —  a  missing  leg  having  been 
supplied  by  a  butter-tub  —  and  two  bottomless 
chairs.  A  broken  cart  in  the  last  stages  of  decay 
lay  on  the  lawn,  Tvdth  its  rusted  irons  under  it.  A 
carryall,  once  a  fine  affair,  reclined  gracefully  on 
the  grass  where  the  lost  wheel  lay,  with  several 
openings  for  air  and  light  in  the  leather  top. 
Seated  most  insecurely  within  this  vehicle,  were 
some  half  a  dozen  little  blacks,  eating  corn  cake 
and  molasses,  and  enjoying  a  most  painful  ride  of 
pleasure. 

Dave  stamped  his  heavy  foot  on  the  rickety 
thill,  making  the  whole  structure  shiver,  and  cried 
out,  "  Cut  off,  there  I  Home  witU  yer,  and  tell 
yer  own  master  he  must  provide  wagons  for  yer 
to  ride  in  !     He  is  rich  enough,  dear  knows  !  " 


DAVE   IIUGGINS   "  AT   HOME."  49 

The  childien  scrambled  out,  tumbling  over  each 
other,  heels  over  head,  losing  their  corn  cake  and 
bumping  their  crowns.  The  driver,  a  confident 
youth  of  seven  snnnners,  replied,  with  a  sardonic 
grin,  ''  Our  massa  got  heaps  o'  carr'ges,  but  he 
haint  got  no  tumble-down  ones  for  chil'n  to  play 
'  take  jaruey '  in.  He  aint  rich  'nough  to  keep 
sich-like  a  one  as  dis.  He!  he!  he!"  Then  he 
took  to  his  heels,  the  others  scampering  after  him, 
over  a  sick-looking  corn-field.  Dave  growled  out 
something  about  "  a  gun,"  and  threw  two  or  three 
clods  of  earth  after  them.  Young  Africa,  nothing 
daunted,  shouted  back  from  what  he  considered  a 
safe  distance,  '^He,  he,  he  !  Dat's  one  of  de  guns 
yer  hears  tell  on,  but  never  sees.  He,  he,  he!" 
Dave,  however,  took  no  notice  of  this  taunt. 

They  now  overtook,  near  the  house,  a  pale  mu- 
latto boy,  seated  on  a  white  horse  which  defied  de- 
scription,— a  caricature  of  that  noble  animal.  Be- 
fore him,  and  resting  on  the  neck  of  the  meek  brute, 
the  boy  held  a  bucket  of  water,  which  slopped  over 
at  every  step,  drenching  both  the  horse  and  himself. 
He  turned  round  with  a  pleasant  smile,  and  holding 
the  pail  on  with  his  left  hand,  gave  his  right  one  to 
Weza,  and  cried,  "  Hillo  !  mighty  glad  to  see  yer. 
Hope  ye's  well,"  and  the  tri  moved  on  together. 
"  There,  now,"  cried  Dave,  proudly,  "  see  that 


50  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

contrivance  for  gettin'  water  from  the  spring. 
That  boy's  mighty  lame,  haint  got  no  use  of  liis 
legs,  and  all  he  can  do  he  has  to  do  a  hossback. 
I've  gin  him  that  hoss  -for  his  own,  and  'tween  'em 
they  do  a  mighty  heap  o'  work,"  he  added,  looking 
proudly  at  both  the  horse  and  his  rider.  "  I  reckons 
they  go  down  to  the  spring  twenty  times  a  day." 

When  they  reached  the  door,  Weza  took  the  pall 
from  lame  Obed,  and  when  she  saw  the  small  sup- 
ply of  water  it  contained  she  wondered  that  he  did 
not  go  forty  times  instead  of  twenty. 

Dave  threw  open  a  door,  and  exclaimed,  "  Well, 
old  woman,  I've  fetched  what  yer  want  this  time, 
I  reckon.  Old  De  Grow's  overseer  tells  me  this 
woman  is  a  mighty  fine  Christian  ;  that  she  cooks 
like  an  angel  and  never  runs  off;  yer  couldn't  hire 
her  to  go,  'cause  she  believes  in  de  cuss  on  Canaan, 
and  dat  it  would  be  sin  to  get  rid  on't.  Now  speak 
to  her  civil,  for  she's  mighty  down  in  the  mouth 
about  some  boys  she's  left :  and  let's  see  if  we  can't 
get  a  decent  meal  o'  victuals  for  once." 

The  lady  to  whom  these  remarks  were  addressed 
occupied  two  chairs,  lolling  on  one,  and  stretching 
out  her  limbs  on  another.  In  her  mouth  she  held 
a  pipe,  which  was  not  removed  wlicn  she  said,  as 
well  as  she  could  with  clenched  teeth,  "  Glad  to  see 
yer.     Hope    yer   tough,    and    good   natur'd,    and 


DAVE   HUGGINS   "  AT   HOME."  51 

• 

cheerful,  and  ^villi^^,  and  smart,  and  that  ycr  liatc 
company,  and  keep  clear  o'  meetin's  and  sich  like. 
Take  a  cheer.     Got  a  pipe  ?  " 

This  was  uttered  with  such  monotony  of  voice 
and  such  lustreless  eyes  that  Weza  at  first  thought 
the  woman  half  drunk  ;  Init  she  soon  saw  that  it 
was  not  so,  and  replied  with  a  trembling  voice,  "  I 
wasn't  never  'lowed  to  smoke,  thank  yer,  missus." 

"  Put  down  yer  bundle  and  go  out  in  the  kitchen 
and  get  dinner,  then.  Be  mighty  quick,  for  I'm 
a'  most  starved.  Yer'll  find  corn-meal  some'hers 
out  there,  and  bacon,  heaps  'ont,  a  hangin'  round," 
she  said,  by  way  of  orders.  "  If  there  ain't  no 
wood  split,  yer  can  pick  up  corn  cobs,  I  reckon." 

"  How  many  for  dinner,  missus,  and  wherc'll  I 
lay  the  table  ?  "  asked  poor  Weza  in  a  tremulous 
tone. 

"  Him  and  me's  all  the  ladies  and  gentlemen 
there  is,  and  we  have  our  table  sot  right  here  by 
my  cheer,"  replied  the  mistress,  from  the  side  of 
the  pipe.  "  We've  got  a  dinin'  room  to  the  man- 
sion house,  but  it  wants  a  heap  o'  fixin'  up  ;  and 
then  it's  a  heap  a  trouble  to  git  up  out  o'  yer  cheer 
and  go  into  another  room  every  time  ye  eat.  So  I 
have  this  table  hauled  up  to  me,  and  a  cheer  sot 
for  him." 


52  OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS. 

'^  Has  3^er  got  the  rheumatiz,  missus  ?  "  asked 
Weza,  compassionately. 

.  "Well,  no,  guess  not  'zactly ;  but  my  jints  is 
kind  of  weak  and  tired  all  the  time ;  so  I  likes  to 
sit  still  mostly,  with  my  legs  up  in  a  cheer,"  said 
the  lady. 

This  statement  was  strictly  true  not  only  of 
Mrs.  Huggins  herself  but  of  her  husband,  and, 
indeed,  of  every  thing  they  owned.  He  sat  in  one 
chair,  she  sat  in  two.  The  few  men  they  owned 
sat  down  in  the  field  half  the  time.  Obed,  the 
lame  boy,  sat  on  his  liorse,  and  the  horse,  once  the 
star  of  a  circus,  retained  the  one  trick  of  sitting 
like  a  hound  on  his  haunches.  Obed  had  acquired 
a  strange  facility  of  holding  on  to  his  friend  under 
all  difiiculties ;  so  that  a  young  gentleman  on  the 
next  plantation  had  playfully  named  the  united 
pair  "  The  Centaur."  Several  carts  and  wagons 
belonging  to  the  plantation  had  also  taken  perma- 
nent seats  on  the  grass.  The  verandah  roof,  as  we 
have  stated,  sat  on  pine  logs,  and  the  settee  sat  on 
a  butter  tub  ;  while  the  mansion  house  —  Huggins 
clung  to  this  name  as  the  ghost  of  its  former  gran- 
deur —  looked  as  if  it  were  making  an  effort  to  sit 
down  also.  The  owners  and  their  whole  establish- 
ment could  have  said  from  the  heart,  with  "  Cheap 
Jack,"  "  Our  favorite  posture  is  sitting  down." 


DAVE   HUGGINS   ''  AT    HOME."  53 

This  physical  inactivity  was  not  without  its 
blessings  to  the  slaves  of  Iluggins,  several  of  whom 
had  deliberately  walked  off,  feehng  quite  sure  that 
he  would  not  have  the  energy  to  chase  them, 
although  he  would  shout  after  them  about  "  my 
gim."  Smart  blacks  had  been  too  much  for  him  ; 
and  he  had  lost  s€^  much  by  them,  that  he  had 
long  since  come  to  the  conclusion  to  buy  cheap 
such  as  could  scarcely  better  themselves  by  run- 
ning off.  So  his  working  force  now  consisted  of 
three  old  men,  a  young  one  with  a  stiff  leg,  and 
two  half  grown  boys  in  the  field,  with  the  cripple 
Obed,  and  Weza  for  the  house.  The  last  had  been 
bought  to  fill  the  place  of  "  an  ungratefi-il  creatur ' 
who  had  run  off  after  having  had  a  present  of  a 
red  caUco  dress,  and  a  pink  turban  at  Christmas." 

Dave  Huggins  labored  under  the  impression  • 
that  he  was  the  scion  of  a  noble  but  fallen  house, 
and  that  he  must  in  some  way  keep  up  its  dignity. 
As  he  had  not  energy  to  vie  with  his  neighbors, 
he  threw  all  his  deficiencies  into  the  descending 
scale  of  "  bad  luck."  The  truth  was,  he  had  no 
reputation  to  keep  up,  having  been  in  his  best  days 
—  if  he  ever  had  such — the  overseer  of  'this 
place.  The  plantation  had  long  been  a  bill  of 
expense  to  its  former  owner,  who  had  sold  it  to 
him  and   gone   North,  years  ago,  to  educate  his 


54  OUT   OP   THE   WILDERNESS. 

family.  The  decay,  which  had  been  going  on 
there  for  two  generations,  advanced  rapidly  when 
Dave,  now  his  own  master,  married  one  of  the 
"  poor  whites,"  a  woman  too  lazy  to  breathe  —  if 
she  could  help  doing  it  —  and  devoted  his  time  to 
the  pipe  and  gin  bottle.  While  he  had  a  great  de- 
sire to  be  a  respectable  man«^  like  Col.  Leon,  his 
neighbor,  he  could  not  rouse  himself  to  plan,  or 
carry  out  work  on  the  plantation.  When  he  occa- 
sionally woke  up  to  see  his  low  estate,  he  would 
say,  mournfully,  "If  I'd  only  a  married  Madam 
Leon,  I  might  have  been  a  gentleman  by  this 
time."  When  Mrs.  Huggins  couldn't  get  tobacco 
enough,  or  had  to  rise  from  off  her  chair  for  any 
thing,  she  would  sigh,  and  say,  "  If  I'd  a  married 
Col.  Leon  when  I  was  a  gall,  I  mought  a  had 
whatsomever  I  wanted  now,  and  been  a  lady,  too, 
as  well  as  '  Madam '  that  holds  her  head  so  high, 
and  don't  ax  us  to  her  dinner  parties."  They 
both  seemed  to  regard  their  elegant  neighbor  and 
his  saintly  wife  as  in  some  way  responsible  for 
their  "  ill  luck,"  and  comforted  themselves  by 
calling  them  "  nabobs "  and  "  dukes."  Still, 
when  the  colonel  sent  Dave  new  corn  seed  or 
samples  of  sugar  cane,  or  when  he  chatted  with 
him  a  moment  in  the  road,  he  was  greatly  flat- 
tered, and  usually  boasted  of  it  at  home,  saying. 


DAVE    HUGGINS   "  AT    HOME."  56 

"  Well,  I  tell  ycr,  he's  a  real  gentleman.  There's 
somethino-  in  Uood,  after  all,  ibr  tlicm  Leons  al- 
ways was  a  sort  o'  noble.  I've  heern  tell  that  their 
great  grandfather  took  dinner  with  the  French 
king  once." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

DA  YE   HUGGINS   RECEIVES   HIS   FIRST   LETTER. 

WHAT  Dave's  establishment  lacked  in  style  it 
made  up  in  plenty.  There  was  little  variety 
in  the  culinary  department,  because*they  never  lind 
a  cook ;  but  bacon  hung  from  every  beam  in  kitchen 
and  shed  —  the  smoke-house  having  taken  a  per- 
manent "  seat "  in  the  form  of  loose  boards  and 
shingles  —  and  an  overflowing  corn  bin  invited 
both  slaves  and  poultry  to  come  and  partake ; 
which  they  did  with  equal  freedom.  And  this 
generosity  was  the  planter's  boast  and  pride.  His 
one  argument  on  the  subject  of  right  and  wrong, 
which  was  then  shaking  the  nation,  was,  "  Let 
them  meddlesome  Yankees  come  down  here  and 
see  my  niggers  eat,  and  I  guess  they'd  quit  abusiii' 
slavery;  I'd  like  to  see  the  one  o'  'em  that  would 
take  this  lot  off  my  hands  and  feed  'em  as  well  as 
1  do  for  the  work  they'd  get !  " 

That  man  couldn't  have  been  found  at  the  North ; 

56 


DAM-:   lIUdCTNS   RECEIVES    HIS    FIRST   LETTER.       hi 

and  Dave's  working  force  would  probably  have 
been  provided  with  hospital  accommodations  here. 
He  was  truly  a  philanthropist,  in  his  way.  He 
was  too  generous  to  starve,  too  good-natured  to 
scold,  and  too  lazy  to  whip  them ;  so  that  his  gov- 
ernment had  resolved  itself  into  this  threat: 
''  Yer'll  see  me  a  fetch  in'  out  my  gun." 

This  gun  was  a  myth,  a  fabulous  creation  of  his 
own  brain,  and  occupied,  among  fire-arms,  much 
the  position  which  "  Mrs.  Harris  "  occupies  among 
women. 

Weza  cooked  the  first  rude  dinner  and  laid  the 
cloth  without  an  additional  hint  from  her  mistress. 
While  "  hunting  up  the  dishes,"  as  she  had  been 
told  to  do,  her  poor  heart  throbbed  with  the  pain 
of  homesickness  and  bereavement,  and  the  tears 
stole  down  her  cheeks.  Mrs.  Huggins  saw  the 
drops  between  two  whiffs  of  her  pipe,  and  said, 
kindly,  "  Don't  fret ;  life's  full  o'  botherations,  any 
way,  whether  yer  rich  or  poor,  black  or  white.  I 
lost  two  boys  (Jhce  myself,  without  their  bein'  sold, 
—  they  died  with  snuffles-hke,  a  wheezin'  and 
wheezin'  till  they  died.  I  felt  powerful  bad,  first 
go  off ;  but  I  soon  got  over  it,  and  now  I  never 
think  on  'em  'less  somebody  speaks  on't.  Chil- 
dren's a  heap  o'  trouble,  any  way ;  and  if  yer 
hain't   got   'em,  they   hain't  to   be   looked   after. 


58  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

There  was  forever  somethin'  to  be  done  for  'em ; 
corn  cake  to  be  spread  with  molasses,  and  then 
their  faces  to  wash,  and  —  all  creation.  It  was  a 
mighty  bother,  too,  to  keep  the  run  of  their  shoes, 
and  as  to  stockin's,  I  never  could  keep  two  o'  one 
color  on  mine  f  And  yer  children  would  ha'  been 
forever  gettin'  splinters  in  their  bare  feet,  and  yer'd 
had  awful  times  takin'  keer  on  'em,  'sides  doin' 
yer  work." 

"  But  0  missus,  I  could  work  myself  to  death 
for  one  sight  o'  my  boys,  or  even  for  a  word  from 
dem  ;  dey's  so  dear  to  my  heart.  I  believe  it's  a 
bleedin',  for  I  thinks  I  feels  de  blood  a  tricklin' 
down." 

"  Oh,  keep  up  heart,  and  when  quarterly  meetin' 
comes,  yer  shall  go  to't,  if  I  have  to  make  the  hoe 
cake  with  my  own  hands,  yer  shall ;  for  I  like  yer 
looks,  yer  so  feelin'  in  yer  way  to  tired  folks !  " 

"  Please,  missus,  moughtn't  I  go  to  de  Lord's 
liouse  once  of  a  Sunday  to  git  a  few  words  to  leaii 
my  soul  agin  durin'  de  week  ?  "  asl«ed  Weza. 

"  Well,  no,  I'm  'feared  not,  for  yer  master's  got 
powerful  sot  agin  the  meetin'  near  us.  Col. 
Leon  sot  out  to  git  it  painted,  and  he  come  to  see 
what  Huggins  would  give  towai-ds  it.  But  Hug- 
gins  said  he  never  wore  the  paint  off,  and  so  wasn't 
goin'  to  put  it  on.     He  said  he  never  once  leaned 


DAVE   HUGGINS   RECEIVES   HIS    FIRST   LETTER.      59 

Up  agin  the  cla[)l)uaicls,  as  some  folks  did ;  but  al- 
ways dot  dou'HVn  the  gnus  albic  and  after  mcctin'. 
The  colonel  he  got  riled,  and  said  Huggins  was 
mean.  Now  Ilnggins  is  a  powerful  high-spirited 
man,  and  couldn't    stan'  that ;  so  we've  left   the 

Presbyterians  and  goes  to  Methodis'  meetin'  quar- 

• 

terly  —  that's  once  in  three  months  ;  and  it  saves  a 
powerful  lot  o'  time,  besides  yer  Sunday  clothes, 
not  to  go  so  often.  My  best  silk  looks  five  years 
younger  since  I  quit  goin'  every  week,  and  my 
parasol  that's  got  a  slit  into  it,  don't  let  the  sun 
on  my  head,  neither,  when  I  don't  use  it,"  said 
missus. 

Weza  groaned,  but  made  no  reply. 

"  Yer  massa  will  let  yer  eat  as  much  as  yer 
want,  day  or  night ;  but  there's  two  things  he's 
down  on, —  goin'  to  meetin's  and  havin'  company. 
It  gets  yer  all  stirred  up,  and  makes  yer  uncon- 
tented with  yer  own  home.  And  yer  can  get 
leligion  just  as  well  by  yerself,  as  if  yer  had  a 
j.-aid  minister  to  get  it  for  yer.  I'm  mighty  glad 
yer  a  Christian,  'causa  yer  want  heaps  o'  patience 
here.  Yer  the  only  sound  one  on  the  plantation, 
and  there'll  be  heaps  put  upon  yer.  We've  been 
awful  unlucky  in  havin'  so  many  of  our  people  get 
old  and  lame."  She  forgot  they  had  all  been 
bought  so,  at  low  prices. 


60  OUT   OF   THE   ^MLDERNESS. 

Here  Dave  came  in,  dragging  liis  feet  heavily 
along,  to  ask  if  dinner  was  not  ready.  Seeing 
Weza's  tears,  he  asked,  good-naturedly,  "  What's 
the  matter  ?     Aint  you  had  enough  to  eat  yet?  " 

*'  Yes,  thank  ye,  massa,  plenty  ;  and  there's 
heaps  there  when  I'm  hungry  agin,"  she  replied. 

"  Well,  well !  "  cried  Dave,  in  surprise,  "  when  a 
body  has  enough  to  eat,  I  can't  see  for  the  life  o' 
me,  what  they  can  find  to  cry  about."  Such  was 
Dave  Huggins'  idea  of  the  vast  capacities  and  the 
deep  longings  of  the  immortal  mind. 

Weza  found  it  true,  as  Mrs.  Huggins  had  sug- 
gested, that  she  would  need  grace  in  her  new 
home.  She  was  really  at  the  head  of  a  private 
hospital,  and  her  coming  to  the  plantation  was  like 
the  advent  of  a  cheering  and  heaUng  angel.  She 
relieved  poor  Obed  of  many  a  long,  wet  ride  from 
the  spring,  and  put  his  clothes  in  order  so  that  he 
was  not  forced  to  tie  them  on  with  rope-ends. 
She  fed  the  hogs  —  whose  name  was  legion  —  to 
ease  the  youth  with  the  stiff  knee  ;  and  for  the  old 
men,  who  wrought  in  the  field  or  not,  as  they 
I'leased,  she  sewed,  and  talked,  and  "  preached  " 
—  they  called  it  —  about  '' de  dear  Lord  Jesus, 
dat  was  all  and  in  all  to  her  soul  now."  But  her 
talking  was  very  meekly  done ;  it  was  her  pure, 
patient  life,  and  her  whispered  prayers,  that  broke 


DAVE   HUGGINS   RECEIVES   HIS    FIRST   LETTER.      01 

as  a  sunbeam  on  the  dull,  slow,  lazy  liTc  at  the 
Iluggins  ])lantalion. 

Weza  had  been 'some  weeks  in  her  new  home, 
toilini^"  hard  to  perform  her  own  duties,  and  to  aid 
the  less  favored,  and  not  an  unkind  word  had 
lallen  on  her  ear. 

A  remarkable  event  occurred  one  day  on  the 
Iluggins  plantation :  Dave  received  a  letter.  Obed 
and  the  horse  had  not  been  to  the  post-office  for 
a  year,  for  their  owner  lived  as  independent  of 
mail  arrangements  as  did  the  fowls  on  his  place ; 
but  the  colonel's  Jim  had  shouted  to  the  "  cent- 
aur," on  the  road,  that  he  had  brought  down  a 
letter  for  massa  Huggins  when  he  went  for  the 
mail. 

Obed  possessed  himself  of  the  mysterious  treas- 
ure, and  in  his  haste  to  deliver  it  and  to  hear  the 
news  it  contained,  he  actually  slapped  his  horse 
with  the  palm  of  his  hand,  under  the  vain  delusion 
that  he  might  thus  quicken  its  pace. 

When  Dave  took  the  letter  in  his  hand,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Who  on  the  face  o'  natur'  could  have 
writ  me  a  letter,  and  what  can  it  be  about? 
I  don't  owe  nobody  nothing,  and  I  haint  got  no- 
body to  die  and  invite  me  to  their  funeral."  Then 
he  peeped  into  the  end,  much  as  one  would  into  a 
serpent's  retreat,  but  all  within  was  blank  or  dark. 


62  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

Then  lie  studied  the  handwriting  ;  he  was  not  an 
expert,  and  all  writing  looked  alike  to  him.  Still 
looking  seriously  at  the  paper,  which  was  a  iniled 
leaf  from  an  old  account  book,  he  asked  his  wife, 
"  Have  yer  got  any  folks  any  where  that  could 
die  ?  " 

"  No,  not  as  I  know  on.  I  had  a  sister  once, 
yer  know,  and  after  the  old  folks  died  she  went 
off  to  Texyas,  or  some  of  them  wild  countries. 
But  she  wouldn't  know  where  to  send  for  me  if 
she  was  dead,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  not  at  all 
disturbed  by  the  sad  suggestion. 

"Well,  it  beats  all!"  cried  Dave.  "Who  can 
have  writ  it  ?  " 

"  Why  don't  yer  open  it  and  find  out  ?  "  was  the 
sensible  suggestion  which  Mrs.  Huggins  sent  forth 
from  the  side  of  her  pipe  stem. 

But  Dave  enjoyed  the  excitement  of  suspense ; 
so  he  tantalized  himself  a  while  longer,  before  he 
put  on  his  brass-bowed  spectacles  and  broke  the 
red  wafer.  When  he  did  so,  his  wife  actually  rose 
up,  crossed  the  room  and  looked  over  his  shoulder, 
although  her  youthful  training  had  been  so  neg- 
lected that  she  could  not  read  writing.  Let  us  not 
be  misunderstood.  We  do  not  affirm  that  Mrs. 
Huggins  was  an  illiterate  woman  for  one  of  her 
class  ;  for  she  was  not.     She  could  read  the  Bible 


DAVE    IIUCGIXS   RECEIVES    HIS    FIRST   LETTER.      63 

—  if  she  wanted  to  —  aud  was  mistress  of  the 
ahuanac  in  all  its  diversified  lore  of  sun,  and 
moon,  and  tides. 

Alter  studying  and  deciphering  the  hieroglyph- 
ics a  few  moments,  Dave  whispered  "  It's  from  old 
DeGrow's  overseer,  about  Weza's  boy.  He  says 
he's  had  a  letter  from  the  gentleman  that  bought 
him,  and  that  the  boy  is  only  a  plaything  in  the 
house,  and  is  as  ha])py  as  if  he  never  had  a 
mother.  *  He  —  is  —  dre-dressed  —  up  like  a  puj> 
py,' "  read  Dave,  "no,  tain' t  jmjjjji/ ;  p-u-j>i>e-t, 
puppet,  and  the  —  ladies  —  call  him  the  —  Black 
Prince.  So — tell  —  yer — little  —  woman  —  I  have 
let  the  gentleman  —  know  —  where  —  she  —  is,  — 
so  that  if  he —  ever  —  comes  —  this  way  —  with 
the  boy  —  he  can  hunt  her  —  up.' 

"  But  it'll  never  do  to  let  her  know  this  has 
come,  or  she'll  take  advantage  and  run  off.  If  she 
should  ever  get  powerful  troubled  about  him  I'll 
tell  her  on't,"  added  Dave,  in  a  confidential  tone, 
to  Mrs.  Huggins. 

So  Dave  crumpled  up  the  rude  letter  and  put  it 
in  among  the  innumerable  contents  of  his  deep 
pocket,  as  a  kind-hearted  grandmother  stows  away 
sugar  plums  for  the  future  comfort  of  some 
troubled  child.     Mrs.  Dave  settled  back  into  her 


64  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

old  posture  with  tlie  remark,  "  She's  a  mighty 
nice  little  creatur'  and  very  feelin'  toward  tired 
folks,  and  we  must  keep  her  at  all  hazards." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

A  VISION  AND  AN  INVITATION. 

TBTE  evening  of  the  day  on  which  the  letter  was 
received,  Huggins  and  his  wife  heard  an  ani- 
mated voice  holding  forth  in  the  outer  kitchen, 
interrupted  occasionally  by  such  exclamations  a», 
"  Well,  now,  dat's  mighty  strange ! "  "  Praise  de 
Lord !  "  "  Hallelujah." 

"  Got  company,  sure's  I'm  alive ! "  cried  Dave, 
rising  ;  "  for  none  of  my  folks  talks  ofif  like  that ! 
Fetch  me  the  gim  ! " 

Of  course,  as  Mrs.  Huggins  knew  he  had  no  gim, 
she  did  not  essay  to  obey  orders,  but  retained  her 
comfortable  position  in  two  chairs,  enveloped  in  a 
dehcate  drapery  of  tobacco  smoke. 

Neither  did  Dave  wait  for  her  to  obey  him, 
but  went  out  tvith  considerable  animation  to  the 
kitchen  to  take  aim  at  the  intruders  with  his  in- 
visible weapon.  But  there  were  no  intruders 
there. 

65 


66  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

His  own  family  were  all  seated,  some  on  u\y- 
turned  corn  baskets,  others  on  blocks  and  benches, 
while  the  lame  boy  reclined  at  his  case  in  a  nest 
of  corn  husks.  With  open  mouth  and  eyes  they 
were  listening  to  the  usually  shy  and  quiet  little 
woman,  who  was  relating  to  them  some  wonderful 
event. 

"Who's  been  here  for  company ?^^  asked  the 
master,  gruffly. 

"  Nobody,  massa,"  replied  all  in  one  voice. 

"  Who's  this  a  preachin',  then  ?  "  he  asked  with 
a  searching  glance,  for  he  thought  there  was  some 
neighbor's-  slave  there  who  had  hidden  at  his 
approach. 

"  Nobody,"  replied  Weza.  "  Dat  was  only  me 
a  talkin',  massa." 

"  Yer  makin'  suchlike  noise  as  that !  I  didn't 
know  there  was  so  much  noise  in  yer.  What  was 
yer  a  sayin?  " 

"  0,  massa,  I've  had  such  a  mighty  power  come 
over  me,"  cried  the  httle  woman,  "  dat  I  couldn't 
hold  my  peace.  'Pears  like  somebody  else  was  a 
talkin'  with  my  tongue,  and  sayin'  things  dat's  too 
high  for  me  to  speak  ;  and  de  more  I  talk,  de 
more  de  great  words  and  big  thoughts  pours  into 
my  soul.  'Pears  like  I  had  wings  now  and  wanted 
to  fly  away  !  " 


A    VISION    AND    AN    INVITATION.  67 

"  No,  no,  yer  mustn't  talk  about  rnuuhr  away. 
I  don't  'low  that,  and  besides,  yer  a  Christian, 
Weza,  and  yer  surely  wouldn't  cheat  me  out  of 
the  price  I  paid  for  yer." 

*'  No,  massa,  yer  welcome  to  de  poor  frail  body, 
and  I'll  sarve  yer  faithful  wid  dat ;  but  de  soul,  dat 
aint  bound !  Dat  flies  on  wings  hether  and  yon, 
up  to  heaven  and  back  to  earth,  and  far  way  off 
to  de  chil'days  when  1  had  a  mammy  dat  loved 
and  sarved  de  Lord,  and  dat  gin  her  poor  bashful 
little  child  up  to  him  to  take  keer  on,  when  she 
went  home  to  Jesus." 

"  Why,"  cried  Dave,  ''  yerve  got  a  heap  of  re- 
ligion, little  woman,  as  much  as  if  yer'd  been 
owned  by  Col.  Leon  and  got  Scriptur'  larnin'  from 
madam  every  Sunday  night  with  her  black  folks ! 
She's  been  'cused  of  larnin'  some  on  'em  to  read, 
sly ;  but  I  can't  believe  that !  She's  too  good  a 
woman  to  break  the  laws  of  the  land.  What  were 
yer  preachin'  about  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Why,  massa,"  cried  Weza,  smiling  through 
her  tears,  "  I  see  de  Lord  Jesus  last  night,  and  he 
held  my  hand  in  his  and  talked  wid  me,  oh,  ht)w 
lovely!     I  was  teUin'  dese  ones  on't." 

"  Pho,  pho,"  cried  Dave,  "  that's  all  stuff!  Black 
folks  that  has  religion  always  sees  sights  and  such 
hke  in  their  sleep,  and  thinks  it's  real." 


68  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

^'  No,  massa,  not  all ;  I  never  see  de  Lord  afore. 
He  did  truly  come  to  me  last  night  and  Trhisper 
such  lovin'  words,  dat  I  cried  'cause  he  wouldn't 
take  me  home  wid  him  den,  —  my  Brother  Jesus  I 
0  massa,  ax  him  to  visit  yer." 

"  What  did  he  say  ?  "  asked  Dave,  taking  a  seat 
and  looking  at  Weza  in  surprise. 

"  He  said  words  beautiful  enough  to  make  a 
whole  heaven  out  of,"  replied  the  little  woman. 

"  Well,  go  on,"  said  Dave,  '■'  I  like  to  hear 
stories  when  such  good  behaved  folks  as  yer  tells 
them." 

"  Well,  massa,  I  was  a  layin'  in  dat  great  empty 
room  wid  my  eyes  wide  open  and  seein'  of  de  stars 
.through  de  window,  when  all  o'f  a  sudden  I  heard 
de  sweetest  music,  like-  it  was  miles  off  I  Oh,  it 
made  me  think  of  my  home  up  yonder,  and  de 
tears  roll  down  and  I  say,  '  0,  Brother  Jesus,  take 
me  and  my  boys  where  dat  music  is ! '  Den, 
massa,  all  de  big  room  look  like  it  was  a  forest  full 
of  great  pine  trees  and  I  was  feared  I  couldn't  find 
my  way  out.  De  pine  trees  sing  round  me,  and  de 
far  off  music  come  nearer  and  nearerj  and  de  stars 
shine  through  de  branches.  All  in  a  minute  a 
great  light  shine  round  ;  and  in  de  midst  of  de 
light,  wid  de  crown  on  his  head  and  de  wounds  in 
his  hands,  dere  stood    my  brother  :  him  dat  was 


A    VISION    AND    AN    INVITATION.  69 

once  a  sufferer  on  de  artli  and  so  knows  liow  to 
feel  for  us.     Den  1  went  up  to  him,  and  I  says, 
'  Lord,  I'm  in  de  wilderness  here,  and  I  can't  get 
out !  '     Den  he  took  my  hand  in  his  and  clasped  a 
long   gold    chain  —  like   my    other    missus    wear 
round  her  neck — on  my  wrist  and  told  me  to  look 
round  'bout  de  wilderness.     I  looked,  and  it  w^as 
full  of  a  company  dat  no  man  could  number  ;  and 
massa,  heaps   on  'em  was   held    by  a  chain   like 
mine,  and  all  the  chains  w^as  gathered  up  in  his 
heart.     I   looked  way  off  in   de    dark    corners  to 
some  dat  was  hanging  back.     De  chains  was  very 
loose  and  some  on  'em  was  down  in  de  dust  all 
dimmed  ;  but  dey  was  dere  still ;    and  our  lovin' 
brother  dat  loves  unto  de  end,  he  still  held  on, 
even  when  some  on  'em  tried  to  break  loose  from 
him  !     Den  I  saw  my  little  boys  and  heaps  more  I 
knew,  all  bound  to  him  by  gold  chains,  and  he  led 
'em  on  safe.     Dey  sometimes  stumbled  and  fell, 
but  he  drew  'em  up  and  on  after  him. 

"  Den  I  cried,  '  Oh,  take  me  out  of  dis  wilder- 
ness ! '  but  he  say,  'No;  but  I  will  lead  yer 
through  it,  and  by-and-bye  out  of  it,  and  take  yer 
home  to  glory  ! '  But  he  said,  '  Yer  most  travel  on 
patient  and  faithful  and  praying,  and  give  yerself 
up  for  others,  like  I  did.     I've  got  work  for  yer  in 


70  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

dis  wilderness.'  Den  I  say,  '  All  dat  I  will  try  to 
do  for  Jesus  ! ' 

"  Soon  I  saw  one  powerful  great  man  dat  look 
mighty  cross,  and  I  was  feared  of  him  and  tried 
to  get  far  away  from  him.  But  my  brother  Jesus 
read  that  in  my  heart,  and  he  point  to  de  great 
man  and  say,  '  He  too  is  bound  by  a  gold  chain  to 
my  heart  and  I  lovB  him  wid  everlasting  love  ! 
I  give  him  to  be  yer  shepherd,  to  comfort  yer 
poor,  weak  heart  here  aiid  to  help  yer  on  to 
glory  I '  When  I.  look  at  de  big  man  again,  his 
face  was  covered  with  kind  smiles  and  he  held 
out  his  hand  and  say,  '  I'll  take  keer  o'  yer  poor, 
weak  little  woman ! '  And  den  I  felt  like  I  had 
a  whole  garishon  o'  sogers  a  guar  din'  of  me. 
'Feared  like  de  Lord  and  his  hosts  was  all  about 
me. 

"  I  talked  with  him  till  de  light  broke,  and  den 
de  wilderness  vanished  off;  and  my  brother  went 
too,  sayin'  still  as  he  left  me,  '  I  will  lead  yer 
through  the  wilderness  and  out  of  it  and  home  to 
glory  ! '  And  I  feel  de  gold  chain  round  my  hand 
yet  and  him  drawing  me  !  " 

Dave  made  no  reply,  and  encouraged  by  his  si- 
lence, the  little  woman  said,  "  I  been  tellin'  dem 
dis  and  all  'bout  my  life  when  I  was  at  home,  and 
dey  been  tryin'  to   pick  up  de  little  religion   dey 


A    VISION   AND   AN   INVITATION.  71 

once  had,  and  we  was  just  goin'  to  say  our  i)rayers 
and  sing,  when  ycr  come  in,  massa. '  Mought  we 
go  on  ?  " 

'^  Pho  I  pho  I ''  cried  Dave, ''  yer've  been  dreamin' 
and  I  reclvons  yer've  talked  enough  for  this  niglit  ! 
and  don't  yer  go  teachin'  my  boys  to  read,  Weza, 
mind  that." 

"  Two  on  'em  can  read  as  good  as  nie,  massa ; 
but  it  won't  hurt  'em.  Dey'U  work  just  as  faith- 
ful," she  replied. 

''  Well,  I  never  larnt  'em  that,"  replied  Dave, 
with  a  nod  of  satisfaction,  "  and  so  can't  be  held 
responsible  for  it !  If  they'd  never  tell  on't,  so's 
to  stir  up  the  neighbor's  blacks,  they  mought  take 
old  books  out  of  two  chests  in  the  garret  to  'muse 
themselves  o'  nights,  for  all  I  care." 

"  Mought  we  have  a  Bible,  massa  ?  >  I  lost 
my  piece  of  old  Job's  dat  he  gave  my  mammy 
when  I  was  sold,"  said  the  little  woman. 

"  Your  missus  has  got  one  that  a  trampin'  par- 
son gin  her,  and  she's  so  choice  on't  tliat  she  won't 
even  read  it  herself.  It's  got  gold  on  the  kivers. 
I  don't  believe  she'd  let  yer  touch  it  with  one 
finger,"  replied  the  master. 

"  Mought  I  ax  her,  massa  ? ''  inquired  Weza. 

"  Yes  ;  and  if  she'll  lend  it  to  any  body  on  arth, 
she'll  lend  it  to  yer,  little  woman  ;  yer  so  pleasant, 


72  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

and  need  so  little  looking  arter,"  he  said  patron- 
izingly. 

Weza  tried  'the  experiment,  and  to  her  joy  was 
allowed  to  cover  '•  the  Book  "  with  brown  paper 
and  carry  it  into  the  kitclien,  her  mistress  remark- 
ing to  her  husband,  as  she  disappeared  with  her 
treasure,  "  We  never  had  such  peaceable  creatur's 
since  we've  liad  a  house ;  and  if  they  don't  go  to 
dances,  nor  drink,  nor  go  to  meetin,'  the  least  we 
can  do  is  to  wink  at  their  readin'  the  Book  a  little. 
It  can't  hurt  'em  !  " 

After  this  speech,  Mrs.  Huggins  filled  her  pipe, 
lighted  it,  and  then  settled  herself  back  into  her 
chair  "  to  rest." 

With  their  new  liberty  the  tongues  of  the  folks 
in  the  kitchen  were  loosed,  and  they  told  of  their 
early  life,  and  friends,  and  of  their  thoughts  of 
God  and  eternity.  They  sung  sacred  words,  with- 
out regard  to  metre  or  rhyme,  to  the  airs  of  old 
plantation  songs,  and  thus  lulled  their  master  to 
sleep  when  he  had  sought  his  pillow. 

When  wonders  once  begin  they  seem  never  to 
cease.  It  was  not  long  after  the  arrival  of  the 
letter,  which  Dave  had  told  Obed  was  '^  an  order 
for  four  pigs,"  that  the  ColoneFs  Jim  rode  up  to 
the  Huggins  mansion  house  and  asked  for  the 
missus.     That   lady   gave   orders   that  he   should 


A    VISION   AND    AN   INVITATION.  73 

ride  round  to  the  cud  of  the  house,  where  she 
could  speak  to  liim  from  the  window  without  get- 
ting out  of  her  chair  !  He  did  so,  and  handed  her 
a  note,  saying,  with  a  grin  of  dehght  on  his  sable 
face,  "  Dere's  a  billet  my  missus  wrote  yer,  and 
she  wants  yer  to  read  it  and  tell  me  the  answer ; 
yer  needn't  stop  to  write  it,"  added  the  roguish 
boy. 

^' Thank  yer,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  her  cheeks 
flushing  with  pleasure.  "Tell  her  I'll  come  if 
Huggins  will,  and  that  I've  been  nigh  'bout  pos- 
sessed to  git  to  one  o'  them  parties  for  a  long 
time." 

"  Don't  want  yer,"  said  Jim,  gruffly. 

"  Oh,  it's  only  for  men  folks,  ha?  Well,  that's 
too  bad ;  but  still  I'll  let  Huggins  go,  for  the 
Colonel's  sake.  I  think  heaps  of  the  Colonel  — 
he's  such  a  gentleman,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  a 
little  crest-fallen. 

''Don't  want  Massa  Huggins,  nuther,"  replied 
Jim,  not  very  respectfully  ;  •'  and  we  won't  let  him 
in  if  he  comes." 

"  Well,  then,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  looking  anx- 
iously at  the  closed  note,  "tell  yer  missus  I'm 
obleeged  to  her,  but  I  couldn't  make  up  my  mind 
about  it  till  Huggins  comes  in.     Then  I'll  let  her 


74  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

know."  So  Jim  rode  oiT  to  repeat  the  joke  to  his 
friends. 

When  Dave  came  in  and  heard  there  was  a  note 
from  Madam  Leon,  lie  called  the  brass-bowed  spec- 
tticles  into  use  again,  and  read,  that  on  account 
of  the  industry  and  good  behavior  of  her  people 
during  harvest,  she  had  promised  them  a  party  in 
the  kitchen,  and  desired  Mrs.  Huggins  to  let  her 
people,  and  especially  her  new  woman  come  to  it. 
This  was  quite  a  blow  to  Mrs.  Huggins'  aspirations 
for  high  life  ;  but  the  note  directed  to  herself — the 
first  one  she  had  ever  received  in  her  life  —  acted 
as  a  healing  balm  to  the  wound.  She  meekly  ac- 
cepted the  compliment  oifered  through  her  ser- 
vants, and  said,  "  They  mought  as  well  go,  I  sup- 
pose ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  'bout  that,"  replied  Dave. 
"  Wezall  get  acquainted  with  the  Colonel's  women, 
and  then  therell  be  trot,  trot,  from  one  plantation 
to  tother  all  the  time.  Weza's  easy  now  that  she's 
got  yer  Bible  and  leave  to  talk  religion  to  the  men ; 
but  she'll  see  how  the  Leon  blacks  is  dressed  up 
and  made  on,  and  she'll  get  oneasy  here  and  ih'iv.k 
we  ain't  grand  enough." 

"  Well,  and  now  I  think  on't,  the  creatur'  hain't 
a  stitch  to  wear,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins ;  "  she's  wore 
out  the  two  gowns  she  lirought  with  her,  and  I've 


A    VISION    AND    AN    INVITATION.  75 

been  too  tired  to  go  to  town  to  buy  any  since  sbc 
came.  She  will  look  bke  a  beggar  side  on  the 
Leon  girls  ;  and  they'll  think  we're  too  poor  or  too 
mean  to  keep  her  decent." 

The  word  "  mean  "  tonched  a  sensitive  spot  in 
Dave's  heart.  "  Yes,  yes,"  he  cried,  "  the  Colonel 
called  me  mean  once  about  that  meetin'  house, 
and  now  Till  show  him  if  I  be  I  I'll  go  to  town 
to-morrow,  and  buy  the  winter  clothes  for  the  boys, 
and  new  boots ;  and  they  shall  go  and  look  as  good 
as  any  body's  niggers !  We  can't  buy  women's 
clothes  ready  made  ;  but  yer  can  give  Weza  one  of 
yer  gowns  and  buy  yer  another,  ha  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  I'll  do,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins  ;  "  and 
I'll  put  her  in  such  trim  as  shall  make  the  Leon 
women  blush  !     Call  her  in." 

Dave  did  as  ordered,  and  when  poor  Weza  heard 
that  she  was  going  to  a  party,  she  burst  into  tears, 
and  said,  "  0,  missus,  I  thank  you,  for  I'm  power- 
ful lonesome  here,  and  will  be  so  glad  to  see  a 
woman's  face  for  once." 

"  Yes,  and  I'll  dress  yer  up  right  smart  in  my 
own  clothes  that  I  wear  to  quarterly  meetin'  ;  and 
I'll  let  yer  carry  my  peacock  fan  and  my  pocket 
handkercher."  This  latter  article  was  a  luxury 
never  indulged  in  by  any  one  there  except  on  'fes- 
tive  occasions,   such    as   quarterly   meetings   and 


76  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

funerals,  when  Mrs.  Huggins  appeared  out  in  the 
changeable  silk  in  which  she  was  married,  and  her 
snuff-colored  crape  shawl,  embroidered  with  flowers' 
in  all  the  hues  of  nature. 

She  had  forgotten,  when  making  this  generous 
proposal,  that  her  own  wardrobe  was  reduced  to 
the  red  and  green  silk,  honorable  for  age,  the  one 
she  had  on,  and  a  thin  pink  muslin,  somewhat 
faded  by  time  and  wear. 

The  next  two  days  little  was  thought  of  by  these 
grown  up  children,  who  lived  a  hermit  life,  but  the 
social  joy  before  them  in  Madam  Leon's  kitchen. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OF  THE  VISION. 

THE  day  of  the  party  came,  but  alas,  the  rain 
fell  heayily,  and  a  raw,  cold  air  drove  all  who 
were  not  pressed  with  outdoor  business,  round  the 
fire  !  The  sable  members  of  Dave  Huggins'  fam- 
ily watched  the  clouds,  hoping  against  hope,  and 
prophesying,  against  all  signs,  that  it  was  goin'  for 
to  clear  at  noon."  Obed  remarked  jocosely  that 
weather  made  no  difference  to  "  great  men  that 
always  rid  a  hossback,"  and  that  he  should  go  "  if 
de  mud  was  up  to  his  bosses'  eyes."  The  old  men 
said  they'd  never  made  any  but  stolen  visits  to  the 
Colonel's  folks,  and  that  go  they  would,  rain  or  no 
rain  I  The  youth  with  a  stiff  knee  begged  a  ride 
behind  Obed,  and  the  half-grown  boys  "  liked  rain  " 
thdy  said,  '^  better'n  sunshine."  But  poor  Weza 
trembled  when  she  thought  of  the  long  walk 
through  deep  mire  in  a  pink  muslin  and  Mrs. 
Huggins'  slippers,  twice  too  big  for  her,  tied  on 
by  a  twine  which  w^as  fastened  at  the  heel ! 

77 


78  OUT    OF   THE   AYILDERNESS. 

The  men  were  in  high  spirits  over  their  new 
clothes  and  shoes  and  gay  cwtton  neckerchiefs. 
They  felt  that  these  were  to  give  them  a  new 
position  in  society,  for  hitherto  they  had  been 
obliged  to  stay  at  home,  even  from  quarterly 
meeting. 

As  they  sat  round  the  kitchen  fire  when  they 
should  have  been  at  work,  Dave  opened  the  door 
suddenly.  "  Come,  now,  yer  lazy  fellows,"  he 
cried,  ''  is  this  the  way  ye're  a  goin'  to  pay  me 
for  them  splendid  clothes  ?  Oflf  to  yer  work,  or 
yer  shan't  go  a  step  to  the  dance  !  ^  Weza,  yer 
missus  wants  yer. 

Mrs.  Huggins  wanted  to  say  she  thought  Weza 
"  had  better  give  up  the  visit,  as  she  mought  take 
her  death  of  rhumatiz  ;  and  wors'n  that,  Mrs.  Leon 
might  think  they  were  either  poor  or  mean  or 
shiftless,  to  let  a  woman  walk  so  far  without  an 
umbrelly  in  a  summer  muslin  !  " 

"  0,  missus  dear,  don't  please  say  one  word 
'bout  me  not  goin',  else  I'll  either  go  crazy  or  die. 
I  must  go  !  " 

"  Well,  then,  if  you  must,  you  must,  I  suppose," 
replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  too  tired  to  argue  the  point ; 
"  but  be  sure  to  tell  'em  our  best  boss  was  lame, 
and  that  our  wagon  was  to  the  wheelwright's,  and 


THE   PARTY   AND   THE   MAN   OP   THE    VISION.       79 

that  yer  woiildu't  wear  a  thick  dress  and  shoes  nor 
carry  an  umbrelly,  all  I  conld  say  to  yer !  " 

AVeza  did  not  })ledgc  herself  to  rcjjeat  this  heau- 
tiiiil  fiction,  but  she  was  so  afraid  Mrs.  Iluggins 
might  get  energy  to  change  her  mind  that  she  be- 
gan her  preparations  soon  after  dinner,  resolved  to 
shp  off  and  hide  till  the  time  came.  Toilet  accom- 
modations were  rather  seant  at  the  "  mansion- 
house."  On  a  bench  by  the  door  stood  a  pail  of 
water  with  a  gourd  dipper  in  it,  and  against  the' 
outer  wall,  secured  by  the  heads  of  four  large  nails, 
was  a  piece  of  lOoking-glass  to  accommodate  such 
of  the  family  as  regarded  personal  appearance. 
One  of  the  blacks  accommodated  another  by  pour- 
ing out  water  from  the  gourd,  which  was  caught  up 
and  thrown  over  the  face  and  hands.  This  was 
called  "  washing,"  on  Huggins'  plantation. 

A  difficulty  now  presented  itself  in  the  way  of 
poor  Weza.  There  was  no  white  skirt;  to  wear 
under  the  thin  pink  muslin  ;  but  that  was  a  trifle 
compared  to  staying  at  home  when  her  heart  was 
aching  to  speak  to  some  woman.  So  she  arrayed 
herself  as  best  she  could,  in  the  dress  which  was 
far  too  big  for  her  and  in  which  she  had  taken  a 
deep  tuck  with  green  thread,  the  only  available 
color.  She  saw  the  blue  linsey  skirt  through  the 
thin    fabric,   and   whispered    to    herself,   "  What 


80  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

would  my  old  missus  say  to  see  me  lookin'  dis 
way  !  But  I'm  bound  to  go  !  I  feel  like  I'll  hear 
somethin'  'bout  my  boys,  or  somebody  !  I  feel 
like  I  was  goin'  to  a  preachin'  more'n  to  a  dance  ; 
like  I  was  goin'  to  meet  Jesus,  'stead  of  poor,  tired 
creaturs  like  myself,  tryin'  to  kiver  up  dere  sor- 
sowr  wid  nojisense  ;  I  feel  like  dis  is  goin'  to  be  a 
mighty  night  in  my  life  I  " 

She  had  no  reason  to  hide  till  the  hour  of  the 
party,  for  Mrs.  Huggins  called  her  in,  and  after 
surveying  her  a  moment,  said,  "  Yer  look  mighty 
nice  —  all  but  yer  dark  petticoat;  and  yer  as 
pretty  a  little  woman  as  any  lady  can  send  there 
to-night.  IVe  been  up-stairs  to  a  chist  I  haint 
opened  this  three  year  and  found  this  here  green 
scarf  and  blue  bow  of  ribbon  for  yer !  And  if 
yer'll  open  that  drawer  yer'U  find  the  handker- 
cher  "  — the  Huggins  pocket  handkerchief — "  and 
the  feather  fan.  And  I  do  believe,"  she  added, 
with  more  kindness  than  tnith,  "  the  rain  has 
settled  into  a  drizzle,  and  that  aint  nothin'  to 
mind."  It  was  still  pouring  in  torrents  and  the 
mud  was  ankle  deep.  "  Now,"  said  she,  "  that  I. 
think  on't  it,  I  do  believe  there's  an  umbrelly  in  a 
corner  behind  the  old  loom,  among  a  heap  of  trash 
the  last  master  left  here.     Go  up  and  hunt  it." 

Sure  enough,  that  garret  supplied  an  umbrella, 


THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OF  THE  VISION.   81 

half  of  which  was  sound,  so  lliat  with  a  pair  of 
men's  boots,  which  Weza  drew  on  over  ]\[rs.  Uug- 
gins'  sh])pers,  she  was  equipped  for  the  walk  when 
she  made  her  appearance  down  stairs. 

"  Now  remember  every  thing  yer  hear,  to  tell 
me,"  said  her  mistress.     "  Yer'll  see,  madam,  for 
she's  among  her  people,  mostly,  when  any  thing's 
goin'  on.     She's  always  on   hand  to  the  buryin's 
and  the  marryin's  ;  and  she  looks  after  'em  when 
they're  sick  and  old,  like  she  was  only  a  nigger 
herself,  and  no  big  lady.     She'll  speak  to  yer,  no 
doubt,  for  she's  civil  to .  everybody's  blacks  ;    and 
she  mought  ax  for  me.     If  she  does,  tell  her  I'm  a 
real  lady,  that  I  don't  turn  my  hand  to  work  but 
sit  still  in  a  cheer,  mostly.     Tell  her  I  don't  need 
to  work  ;  the  master's  got  so  well  off —  got  such 
h^aps  of  pine  wood  to  sell  yet  off  his  land;  and  tell 
her,  too,  ho\y't  I  give  yer  a  Bible  to  read  in  the 
kitchen,  'cause   I   was    so   beset   to   have  yer  all 
religious !     If  she  offers  to  come  over  to  see  me, 
seein'  I'm  weak  in  the  jints,  make  her  set  a  day, 
so  we  can  iiave  the  place  cleaned  up  first  and  be 
ready  for  her." 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huggins  went  to  the  door  to 
look  after  the  little  brown  woman,  as  with  the  two 
boys  she  set  off,  one  half  of  her  umbrella  flapping 
against  the  side  of  her  head  at  every  step. 


82  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

The  other  members  of  the  family  had  preceded 
them.  "  Now  look  out  yer  don't  make  no  'quaint- 
ances,"  Huggins  called  after  her.  "  Don't  ax  a 
livin'  creatm-'  to  call  here.  Well,  that's  sarchin' 
after  pleasure,  ha,"  he  said  to  liis  wife,  as  he  saw 
the  trio  plodding  through  the  mud  ;  but  I'm  afeared 
that  ain't  the  worst  on't !  We'll  hear  of  the  roast 
pig  and  the' chicken  pie  and  the  fancy  trashes 
madam  will  give  'em,  for  the  rest  of  our  lives! 
and  I'll  bet  my  head,  afore  she  lets  'em  off,  slie'll 
give  'em  all  a  trainin'  in  religion,  — she's  so  awful 
bigoted ! " 

"  Well,  I  do  say,"  replied  Mrs.  Hucrgins,  '•  that 
if  I  had  a  married  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal, 
and  was  missus  of  all  his  fine  things  now,  I 
wouldn't  come  down  so  low  as  to  teach  niggers 
every  Sunday  night  in  my  kitchen  ;  not  I !  " 

"Me  neither!"  cried  Huggins.  "If  I  was  so 
bigoted  that  I  would  have  'em  larn  religion,  wliy 
I'd  hire  one  of  them  low  bred,  ignorant  Yankees, 
that  has  to  do  it  for  a  livin',  to  come  down  a  pur- 
pose !  It's  their  business,  and  I  say  let  every  man 
stick  to  his  own  trade  !  I'm  amazed  at  the  Colonel 
for  a  sufferin'  her  to  do  it !  I'm  too  high  sperited 
to  let  yer  larn  niggers  I  "  and  he  cast  a  look  of 
mingled  pride  and  tenderness  at  his  wife,  who  ac- 


THE   PARTY    AND   THE    MAN    OF   THE    VISION.        83 

knowlcdged  bis  comi)limciit  with  a  capacious  smile, 
taking  c^iq  it  didn't  endanger  her  pipe. 

''  Tiiat's  so,  Huggins  ;  I  hold  to  everybody  keep- 
in'  bis  own  place ;  and  I  say  tlie  place  of  ladies 
that  lives  in  mansion  bouses  and  whose  husbands 
own  acres  and  acres  of  pine  land,  is  to  sit  fetill  in 
their  cheers,  mostly.  A  lady  mought  as  well  be 
poor  and  have  to  am  her  bread  as  to  be  always  a 
worryin'  about  cuttiii'  out  clothes  and  a  mixin 
physic  and  larnin'  religion  to  the  people !  " 

"  I  tell  yer  what  I  think  madam  is  up  to,"  said 
Dave;  "she's  sot  out  to  .git  a  high  seat  in  heaven.' 
Them  Leons  was  always  bound  to  be  on  the  top 
o'  the  heap  wherever  they  be  !  " 

"  Yes,  may  be,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  taking  out 
her  pipe  to  fill  it ;  "  but  I  believe  what  I  once 
heerd  a  minister  say,  that  every  one  has  got  to 
look  out  after  his  own  individual  soul ;  so  I  needn't 
look  after  our  black  people's  sOuls  —  supposin' 
they've  got  souls.  But  I'm  amazed  at  the  Colonel, 
that  he  don't  put  a  stop  to  her  doin's." 

•' Pho  I  the  Colonel  I "  cried  Dave;  "he's  the 
easiest  creatur'  that  ever  lived.  She's  got  the 
Uj)i;er  hand  of  him,  mostly.  They  do  say  there 
ain't  a  livin'  thing  goes  on  over  that  great  planta- 
tion that  she  don't  poke  her  finger  into.  If  there's 
a  row  'tween  the  overseer  and  the  field  hands  she 


84  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

holds  court  and  hears  for  and  agin,  and  gives  sen- 
tence like  a  judge.  That's  why  Blaters  was  driv' 
off.  She  took  sides  with  the  people  and  said  he 
was  rough  and  overworked  'em,  and  he  had  to 
walk  back  to  Ohi'  quicker'n  he  come  down.  Let 
the  old  Colonel  enjoy  his  company  and  go  huntin' 
and  fixin'  up  meetin'-houses  and  tendin'  'lections 
and  readin'  books,  yer  may  do  'bout  as  yer  like 
with  him.  The  wonder  is  that  the  plantation 
hasn't  turned  itself  upside  down,  or  run  off 
som'ers." 

"  It  seems  to  stand,  though,  and  things  do  look 
fine  there,  for  all,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  with  a 
sigh,  as  she  thonght  of  the  contrast  between  "  the 
easy  Colonel's"  plantation  and  her  "high  spirited" 
husband's. 

The  two  boys  and  Weza,  after  awhile,  conquered 
the  mud,  and  in  a  very  moist  state  reached  the 
Colonel's  plantation.  As  they  approached  the 
large  kitchen,  which  was  now  brilliantly  lighted  by 
pine  knots,  they  heard  the  buzzing  of  voices  and 
the  peals  of  laughter.  Then  Weza's  heart  failed 
her,  and  fearing  to  face  the  very  people  she  had  so 
longed  to  see,  she  drew  back  to  liide  herself  be- 
hind the  boys,  and  said,  "  I's  feared  to  go  in  ;  I'll 
liave  to  go  back  again,  I's  so  bashful  of  strange 
folks."     Just   then  a  very  great   and  very  black 


THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OP  THE  VISION.   85 

mail,  with  arms  full  of  pine  knots,  crossed  their 
patli. 

^^  Ililloo,  clerc,  Job  aiid  Dick,  dat  ycr?  And 
dis  is  the  Uttle  new  woman,  ha,  dat  don't  know 
nobody  to  speak  to  ?  Dat's  a  mighty  shame,  now  I 
All  human  creator's  is  human  and  wants  company. 
I  told  missus  what  Obed  said  'bout  yer  a  lovin'  of 
the  Lord,  and  a  livin'  the  life  of  a  hermige  there ; 
and  she  said  yer  should  come  to-night,  for  she'd 
write  a  letter  about  it !  Glad  to  see  yer,  sister ; 
and  our  women  be  glad  too.  Dey're  in  a  right  big 
hurry  to  welcome  yer.  Here,  Dick,  car'  in  my 
pine  knots  and  I'll  show  her  up  to  de  folks 
inside." 

He  gave  the  trembling  little  woman  a  gi'asp 
of  his  great  hand  as  if  he  was  an  officer  of  justice 
arresting  her,  and  quickened  her  steps  not  a  little. 

"  Why,  yer's  drenched  !  "  he  said.  "  Couldn't 
Massa  Huggins  lend  yer  one  of  his  disjinted 
bosses  to  ride  over  ?  " 

"  I  never  rid  a  boss,  brother,  and  would  be 
skeart  to  try,"  replied  the  little  woman.  "  'Sides, 
the  bosses  are  sort  of  used  up  or  something, 
and  —  " 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  I  "  burst  forth  and  echoed  again 
from  the  powerful  lungs  of  her  new  friend.     Every 


86  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

thing  down  dere's  used  up  or  somethin',  I  guess, 
as  well  as  the  hosses,  ha  ?  " 

'^  Dc/  was  very  kind  to  me,  brother,"  said 
Weza ;  "  lettin'  me  ofif  peaceable  and  willin'." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  Dey  hadn't  sperit  enough  in  'em 
to  forbid  yer,  ha  ?  " 

Weza  looked  up  in  the  big  man's  face  with 
surprise,  and  asked,  just  as  they  reached  the  door, 
"  Has  I  ever  seen  yer  afore  and  heerd  yer  voice, 
brother  ?  " 

Zack  —  for  it  was  lio  other  than  our  old  friend 
from  down*  river  —  replied,  with  a  patronizing 
smile,  "  No,  little  woman,  yer  hain't  never  seen 
nor  heerd  me  before,  but  may  be  yer've  seen  some 
ugly  great  fellow  dat  looked  like  me,  though." 

Several  matronly  women,  with  or  without  babies 
in  their  arms,  now  came  to  the  door  with  a  cheery 
welcome  to  the  stranger. 

The  great  kitchen  presented  a  picture  that 
almost  dazzled  Weza.  It  was  lighted  most  glori- 
ously with  a  pitch-pine  fire,  while  women  in  bright 
gowns  and  turbans  bustled  round,  cooking,  laying 
tables,  cutting  bread,  chatting  and  laughing.  The 
men  were  seated  on  benches,  barrels  and  chairs 
ranged  close  to  the  wall,  and  ordered  by  the  busy 
women  to  "  stay  dere."  Children  crept  about  the 
floor  or  sat  in  the  laps  of  the  guests,  while  two 


THE   PARTY    AND   THE    MAN    OF   THE    VISION.        87 

men  seemed  to  be  constantly  piling  on  wood  to 
keep  np  the  light. 

"  Here,  here,  sisters,  clar  de  track  from  dat  lire, 
and  let  dis  little  brown  woman  dat's  come  through 
de  rain  to  see  ns  have  a  chance  to  dry  her  clothes  ! 
Dere,  yer  tend  to  her,  Mammy  Cle'patry,  hke  a 
kind  mother  as  yer  is  to  ns  all ! "  cried  Zack. 

A  wizened  little  black  woman,  who  seemed  ex- 
empt from  the  toil  of  the  occasion,  came  u})  and 
grasj)ing  her  hand,  said,  in  an  earnest  tone,  ''  De 
Lord  bless  yer,  and  cause  de  light  of  his  face  to 
shine  upon  yer,  dear.  We've  heard  'bout  yer 
prayers  dat  yer  might  be  brung  out  of  dis  wilder- 
ness, and  we  has  jined  in  de  prayers  for  yer!  " 

"  Whar  did  ever  yer  hear  of  me,  sister  ? "  asked 
Weza,  in  a  low  tone,  as  she  gave  the  old  cloak  and 
the  boots  to  Cleopatra. 

'•'  Why,  from  Obed,  sure.  Whar  else  does  any 
black  folks  get  news  ?  He  and  dat  old  boss  o' 
his'n  travels  regl'ar  'bout  dis  country,  carryin' 
news  as  well  as  water ;  and  dere  isn't  much  goes 
on  for  twenty  miles  dat  he  don't  keep  de  *run  on, 
though  he's  mighty  sly  fear  he'll  be  shut  off  from 
goin'  to  de  spring !  "  All  the  party  laughed  heart- 
ily, and  Obed  laughed  too ;  when  the  old  woman 
said  kindly,  "  Dis  here  comin'  to  us  is  one  step  out 
of  de   wild'ness,  dear,  and   when   de   Lord   once 


88  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

takes  hold  of  a  pool'  child's  hand,  he  never  lets  go ! 
If  yer've  took  one  step  yer'U  take  another  and 
another,  till  yer  get  clear  out  of  de  wild'ness  to  de 
high  plain  whar  yer  get  a  view  of  de  city  whose 
maker  and  builder  is  God  !  Bimeby  yer'll  get  clar 
up  onto  Mount  Zion  ;  and  den  yer'll  shout  and 
sing  praises  dat  ever  yer  was  led  into  de  wilde'ness 
'stead  of  bein'  left  on  de  plain  of  Sodom  to  tarn 
into  a  piller  of  salt  or  a  stone,  as  some  has,  and 
never  see  de  heavenly  land  !  " 

"  Dat's  so  ;  yes,  yes ! "  cried  Zack,  "  we  must 
praise  de  Lord  for  de  bitter  physic  as  well  as  for 
de  sweet  honey  from  de  comb  !  " 

The  sorrows  of  the  wilderness  began  to  press 
heavily  on  the  poor  woman's  heart  when  she  saw 
happy  little  boys  hanging  round  their  mothers, 
while  she  stood  by  the  fire  to  dry  tlie  thin  muslin- 
dress  that  hung  limp  and  wet  about  her. 

Ere  long  the  table  was  ready.  At  each  corner 
was  an  immense  pumpkin,  holding  a  lighted  pine 
knot,  wlrich  cast  a  wild  light  over  the  merry  scene. 
The  centre  of  the  table  was  occupied  by  a  standing 
pig  roasted  to  a  rich  brown,  and  holding  in  his 
mouth  a  bunch  of  gay  autumn  flowers,  as  if  in 
mockery  of  his  martyrdom.  On  each  side  of  him 
stood  a  plump  chicken  pie,  gayly  decorated  also. 
Four  large  wash-basins,  lent  by  madam,  were  filled 


TIIK   PARTY    AND   TflK   MAX    OP   THE   VISION.       80 

with  sweet  potatoes,  tomato-sauce,  sqiiasli  and, 
onions,  while  pies  and  cakes  towered  up  in  tlie  in- 
termediate spaces.  The  chairs,  tubs  and  benches 
were  now  drawn  up  and  all  took  their  seats,  when 
one  of  the  women,  the  bustling  heroine  of  the  oc- 
casion, called  out,  "  Brother  Zack,  d'liver  de 
blessin' !  " 

"  No,  Chrissj,"  said  Zack ;  "  here's  Clammy 
Cloe,  dat's  been  talkin'  to  do  Lord  'fore  I  was 
horned,  and  has  got  more  favor  wid  him  by  half 
den  I  has.     Ax  de  blessin',  mammy." 

Cleopatra  raised  her  withered  face,  extended  her 
arms,  and  then  cried  out,  in  a  solemn  voice,  for  the 
help  of  Heaven  here  and  "  free  seats.bimeby  at  de 
right  hand  of  God  close  by  Jesus,  who  ain't  no 
"  spector  of  persons."  All  cried  "  Amen  "  to  this 
prayer.  The  men  then  struck  into  the  pig  and 
chicken  pie  with  tremendous  energy,  dividing  them 
both  with  generosity  and  justice,  and  the  supper 
vanished  in  a  way  that  was  perfectly  marvellous. 

When  all  had  been  cleared  away,  a  young  man 
with  a  very  old  fiddle  was  brought  forward,  and 
the  master  of  ceremonies  cried  out,  "  Now  all  de 
young  folks  squar'  off  for  a  dance." 

Several  rose  to  their  feet,  but  every  eye  was 
turned  on  Mammy  Cloe,  when  she  gave  utterance 
to  a  deep  groan.     Some  of  the  young  girls  scowled 


90  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

at  her,  but  Zack,  who  seemed  a  sort  of  king  there, 
called  out,  "  Speak,  mammy.  If  de  Lord  has  gin 
yer  a  word  for  us,  pass  it  along." 

*'  He  has  gin  me  a  message  to  ye,  chiFen,  and  it 
is  shut  up  like  a  fire  'mong  my  bones  till  I  delivers 
it  out.  De  Word  of  de  Lord  tells  dat  dere  is  a 
time  for  to  mourn,  and  a  time  for  to  dance.  Dis 
is  de  time  to  mourn  over  our  sins  and  over  de  sins 
of  dis  great  and  moughty  nation  o'  people,  and  to 
humble  ourselves,  if  mought  be  de  Lord  would  turn 
away  his  anger  from  us. 

"  When  de  Islites  made  a  calf  and  worshipped 
it,  dey  danced  'bout  it ;  and  trouble  followed. 
Old  Herod,  he  sot  his  niece  to  dancing  and  dat  led 
to  mischief  enough,  for  it  cost  our  dear  forefather 
—  John  de  Baptist  —  his  head  !  So  Baptises  is  de 
last  lot  o'  Christians  dat  ought  to  smile  on  tlancin'. 
Now  de  Scriptur'  do  saith,  '  Our  dance  shall  be 
turned  into  mournin'.'  I  go  for  dancin'  like  King 
David  danced  —  afore  de  Lord,  to  show  his  joy  in 
him.  But  dere's  a  moughty  difi'erence  'tween  de 
Lord's  and  de  devil's  dance.  If  ye'll  shout  and 
sing  of  de  mercies  of  de  Lord,  and  dance  for  his 
glory,  ril  dance  too,  old  as  I  is." 

"  Whist,  now,  and  listen  to  me,"  cried  Zack, 
in  tones  that  almost  shook  the  rafters.  "  Le's 
have  a  vote   took   how   we'll   muse   ourselves  dis 


THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OF  THE  VISION.   01 

night.  Den  dc  majority  shall  rule.  But  if  dc 
majority  grumbles,  den  let  'em  go  into  de  new 
corn -house  and  'muse  demselves  like  dey're  a 
mind  to  ;  for  how  can  two  walk  together  'cept  dey 
be  agreed  ? 

'*Yer  dat  goes  in  for  de  fiddle  and  de  dance, 
hold  up  yer  riglit  arm  —  only  a  little  way  up." 

ilalf  a  dozen  small  arms  and  a  few  large  ones 
went  up,  rather  irresolutely. 

"Now,  den,  yer  dat  goes  for  sensibler  'muse- 
ments,  yer  dat's  got  good  minds  and  common 
sense,  yer  dat  would  like  talkin',  and  singin'  and 
tellin'  'speriences,  hold  up  your  right  arms  and 
hold  em  mighty  high,"  cried  Zack,  showing  in  a 
most  unparliamentary  manner  which  side  he,  the 
self-appointed  moderator,  was  on.  "  Now  up  wid 
yer  arms^  like  good  Christians  I  "  Up  went  every 
arm  very  high,  even  those  which  had  just  been 
raised  on  the  other  side  of  the  question ! 

The  sleeping  children  were  now  carried  off,  and 
the  middle  of  the  floor  was  cleared.  A  table,  a 
Bible  and  a  Psalm  book  were  borrowed  from 
"  missus  ;  "  and  Zack,  the  only  man  present  who 
could  read  fluently,  was  seated  by  them  on  a  barrel 
cushioned  with  the  guests'  shawls.  He  read,  as 
he  always  did  whenever  he  opened  his  own  little 
Bible,  the  account  of  the  Israelites  crossing  the 


92  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

Red  Sea,  and  of  Pharaoh's  fate.  "  See,  now,"  he 
added,  by  way  of  comment,  "  if  he  didn't  get  come 
up  wid  handsome  for  oppressin'  of  de  Lord's 
people.  Mind  yer,  now,  I  don't  say  a  word  about 
dese  times  nor  de  Pharaoh  dat  Uves  now.  It's 
about  de  dead  one,  and  it's  alius  safe  talkin'  agin 
him,  for  he's  gone  wid  his  hossmen  and  his 
chariots  and  can't  chase  us  if  he  wants  to,  so  we'll 
give  him  his  dues  and  take  warnin'  ourselves 
how  we  dare  to  fight  agin  God  and  his  people. 
Friends,  dere's  no  work  in  dis  world  dat  pays  so 
poor  as  dat,  'cause  we  loses  all  our  time,  and  is 
sure  to  come  off  beat  in  de  end.  My  dear  mammy 
died  on  her  knees  while  she  was  at  prayer,  a  axin' 
de  Lord,  no  doubt,  to  do  his  own  will  wid  her,  — 
and  he  done  it.  She  was  a  prophet,  and  she  fore- 
telled  dat  de  Lord  was  a  comin'  down  from  heaven 
wid  a;  heap  of  angels,  and  wid  de  sound  of  a 
trumpet,  to  shake  dis  arth  to  its  foundations  byme- 
by,  and  dat  den  we  —  all  dat's  in  trouble  and  sor- 
row, yer  know  —  would  be  brung  out  of  de  wild' 
nes's  wid  signs  and  wonders  and  plagues  like 
Pharaoh  had  onto  him.  De  last  words  she  said  to 
me  was,  '  De  great  and  terrible  day  of  de  Lord  is 
at  hand.  Don't  yer  run  out  of  de  wild'ness,  like  a 
coward  or  a  thief,  but  stand  still  and  wait  for  de 
salvation  of  de  Lord.'     And  so  I  will.  Lord  help 


THE  PAKTY  AND  THE  MAN  OF  THE  VISION.   93 

me.  When  dat  day  comes,  if  dcre's  one  of  you 
dat  wants  a  strong  arm  and  a  big  fist  to  help  yer 
out,  call  on  me,  for,  thank  do  Lord,  he's  gin  me 
both,  'sides  a  lovin'  heart  and  a  good  temper,  if  I 
do  say  it  myself." 

Zack's  speech  was  well  received  and  frequently 
applauded.  It  was  an  honor  to  listen  'to  him, 
standing  as  he  did  in  a  mysterious  relation  to 
Massa  Leon,  and  being,  as  he  was,  well  supplied 
from  some  unknown  source  with  clothes,  pocket 
money  and  jack-knives,  and  always  at  the  head 
of  some  work  and  showing  little  regard  for  the 
overseer's  authority.  Had  Zack  not  been  a  good 
man,  he  would  have  been  a  very  dangerous  one  on 
the  estate.  When  he  ended  his  talk,  they  all  sang 
to  a  lively  tune, 

"  "We'll  join  de  army  of  de  Lord, 
And  fight  for  yundei-  crown." 

Then  the  old  saint  Cleo  told  her  "  sperience," 
which  of  itself  would  make  a  book  and  teach 
heavenly  wisdom  to  the  wise  of  this  world. 
Another  and  another  related  the  story  of  his  life, 
each  one  acknowledging  God's  hand  in  leading 
him  through  the  wilderness,  and  expressing  a  firm 
hope  that  he  would  lead  him  out  of  it  and  up  to 
glory.     There  were  songs  of  praise  and  pleasant 


94  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

tales  of  other  da^'s,  aud  words  of  hope  for  time  to 
come ;  and,  mingled  with  all  these,  was  such 
laughter  as  might  have  led  one  who  did  not  know 
their  hearts  to  say  there  were  neither  "  thorns  nor 
nails  "  in  their  lot. 

During  the  evening  Madam  Leon  came  in  to  say 
a  pleasant  word  to  them.  In  her  arms  she  bore 
a  load  of  bundles  containing  a  new  dress  for  each 
woman,  liostess  and  guest.  To  the  men  she  gave 
jack-knives  and  gay  cravats,  saying  that  she  knew 
they  would  rather  have  them  than  garments.  She 
asked  the  strangers  about  their  masters'  families, 
and  sent  a  message  that  she  was  going  to  open  her 
Sunday  evening  school  to  all-  the  colored  people 
around,  and  hoped  they  would  be  allowed  to  come 
and  learn  about  Jesus.  She  said,  "  I'm  your 
friend,  and  I  want  to  do  your  souls  good.  I  want 
you  to  be  happy  here,  and  I  want  you  all  to  live 
with  me  in  heaven."  After  saying  a  few  words 
of  sympathy  to  Weza,  of  whose  troubles  she  had 
heard,  she  shook  hands  with  each  one  and  then 
left  them  to  their  enjoyment. 

"  She's  a  woman  to  be  worshipped  if  any  on  'em 
is,"  said  Zack,  as  she  passed  out.  "  I'm  de  man 
dat  can  tell  a  saint  when  I  sees  one,  'case  I've  seen 
so  much  of  de  tother  kind.  I  believe  de  Lord  o' 
glory  loves  dis  one,  and  is  fast  a  fittin'  her  for  de 


THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAX  OP  THE  VISION.    95 

kiugdom.  'Pears  like  1  must  go  down  on  my 
knees  afore  lier  when  I  goes  whar  she  is.  If  she 
was  a  Catholic  she'd  been  called  a  whole  saint  'fore 
dis  time." 

Although  the  dance  had  naturally  turned  into  a 
"  'sperience  meetin',"  when  they  separated,  long 
after  midnight,  all  were  perfectly  satisfied  with 
the  entertainment. 

When  Weza  was  getting  ready  to  go  Zack  asked, 
"  Mought  I  hilp  yer  through  de  mud,  little  brown 
woman  ?  " 

Weza  told  him  she  had  "  her  own  folks  along," 
but  he  cried,  "  Pho,  what's  three  old  men,  and 
two  cripples,  and  a  couple  o'  half  growed  slips 
to  get  a  poor  weak  woman  through  dis  mire  ?  I's 
goin'  any  how,  to  take  keer  on  yer !  " 

And  he  did  go:  and  during  the  walk  the  inno- 
cent Weza  tpld  him  that  the  shepherd  in  her 
vision  was  just  like  him,  and  that  he  had  a  gold 
chain  to  bind  him  to  the  great  Massa  that  loved 
him;  and  he  was  pointed  out  as  the  one  to  help 
her  out  of  the  wilderness  and  up  to  glory. 

"  Well,  den,  I'll  do  dat,  so  please  de  Lord  ! ' 
cried  Zack,  ''  for  ye're  only  a  poor  weak  woman, 
and  does  sure  need  some  stout  arm  to  lean  agin. 
I'll  keep  my  eye  on  yer,  though." 


96  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

And  he  fulfilled  his  promise  in  a  way  that  made 
Dave  Huggius  lament  bitterly  that  he  had  allowed 
Weza  to  go  to  that  party  at  the  Colonel's. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

AN  UNWELCOME  GUEST. 

IT'S  just  as  I  told  yer,  old  woman,"  cried  Dave 
Huggins,  as  augry  as  he  had  energy  to  be ; 
''  look  out  o'  that  'are  window  by  yer,  and  see  if  I 
aint  a  true  prophet." 

Mrs.  Huggins  did  look  out,  and  there,  with  a 
stout  set  of  cedar  bars  between  them,  stood  Zach 
and  Weza  talking  together. 

"  Mighty  fine  work  this,"  exclaimed  Dave,  "  for 
two  Christians,  a  breakin'  of  the  Sabbath  this 
way,  beside  the  twelve  commandments  into  the 
bargain,  which  says,  '  Sarvants  'bey  yer  masters  in 
all  things,  which  same  is  well  pleasin'  unto  the 
Lord.'  I  larnt  that  forty  years  ago  of  my  grand- 
mother ;  and  see  how  I  remembered  it  so's  to  do 
my  duty  by  my  sarvants.  That  sly  little  woman's 
been  a  deceivin'  of  us  all  this  time,  'pearin'  to 
care  notliin'  for  company,  nor  nothin'  but  her  two 
boys  and  'ligion.      Didn't  I  tell  her  not  to  make 

97 


98  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

one  'quaintance  to  the  party,  and  never  to  let  me 
catch  any  of  them  Leon  blacks  over  lierc,  or  Td 
fetch  out  my  gun  ?  And  now  liere's  that  great 
fellow  that  don't  seemed  to  be  owned  by  nobody, 
big  enough  and  black  enough  to  be  a  Guinea  pirate, 
a  prowlin'  about,  and  a  plottin'  of  my  life,  for  all 
I  knows." 

"■  Mought  be  he  come  of  his  own  'cord,  without 
her  axiii'  of  him  at  all,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  and 
then  'taint  no  fault  o'  her'n.  She's  a  mighty  nice 
little  woman  any  how,  and  powerful  feelin'  and 
tender  of  weak  folks.  Ye  mought  -throw  a  few 
stones  at  him,  but  look  out  and  not  hurt  my  little 
woman,"  added  the  philanthropic  lady. 

Huggins  drew  his  chair  up  to  his  wife's,  and 
whispered,  "  I  wouldn't  throw  a  stone  nor  even  a 
hash  word  at  that  fellow  for  the  valley  of  the 
whole  plantation,  —  for  betwixt  us,  I'll  confess  that 
I'm  feared  on  him.  He's  the  proudest,  pompous- 
est,  boldest  creatur'  I  ever  laid  eyes  on  with  the 
name  of  a  slave  ;  and  I  only  wonder  he  hasn't  j-iz 
and  murdered  all  the  Leons  at  night.  He  will  do 
it  yet.  T'other  day  I  met  him  a  liaulin'  fence  rails, 
and  I  axed  him  a  passin'  if  he  thought  it  was  four 
o'clock.  And  what  does  he  do  but  out  with  a 
great  silver  watch  as  big  as  my  fist  — just  like  he 
was  a  rich  planter  —  and  shame  me  by  tellin'  me 


AN   UNWELCOME   GUEST.  99 

the  time.  If  I  live  to  go  down  river  Til  l)ny  a 
watcli,  I  will,  as  big  as  that  one  ;  for  mine's  been 
gt^d  as  dead  tliis  five  year."      ' 

*'Obed  says,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  "that  he 
'blongs  to  a  mighty  rich  young  man  down  river, 
that  wanted  to  get  rid  on  him  for  some  reason  or 
nother  and  darsen't  sell  him.  He  sent  Jiim  np 
here  for  safe  keepin'." 

"  Feared  of  his  life,  I'll  warrant,"  said  Dave. 

"  Darsen't  keep  him,  and  darsen't  sell  him  ;  so 
he  turned  our  place  into  a  pintintiary  and  sent 
him  up  here  for  his  own  safety.  He'll  git  up  an 
insurraction  here,  and  we'll  all  be  murdered,  else 
lose  our  black  folks,  some  night." 

"  He  seems  to  be  helpin'  peaceable  enough," 
said  Mrs.  Huggins,  calmly,  by  way  of  apology  for 
Zack.  It  took  more  than  suggestions  of  insurrec- 
tions and  murders  to  disturb  her  equanimity  when 
her  pipe  was  full. 

Dave  ventured  to  peep  out  of  the  window  again, 
and  there  was  our  honest  friend  Zack  feeding  the 
hogs,  while  the  little  brown  woman  and  the  stiff- 
kneed  boy  leaned  over  the  bars  and  looked  on  com- 
placently. 

"Isn't  that  alarmin',"  cried  Dave,  "  to  see  him 
a  takin'  of  my  matters  right  into  his  own  hands  ? 
Ha?" 


100  OUT   OF   THE   ^VILDERNESS. 

"  There's  no  great  crime  in  feeding  of  hogft,  as  I 

see,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  determined  not  to  be 

» 

disturbed  by  any  fears  real  or  imaginary.  • 

"  But  they  aint  his  hogs,  so  what  business  has  he 
a  meddlin'  with  'em  ?  "  asked  Dave,  in  a  fretful 
tone. 

"  Done  it  to  help  Weza,  I  s'pose.  She  always 
does  it  now  to  save  Dick.  She  tries  to  save  every- 
body but  herself;  and  I  tell  yer  them  wrists  o' 
her'n  is  powerful  weak  for  heavy  lifts  ;  and  that's 
why  he's  a  helpin'  of  her,  and  I'm  glad  on't." 

"  And  he'll  go  back  and  tell  that  I  haint  got  a 
sound  hand  on  my  plantation,  he  will ;  that  he  had 
to  come  over  here  to  help  ;  and  then  the  Colonel 
will  call  me  '  mean  '  agin.  I  suppose  he'll  .think 
it's  as  '  mean '  to  let  a  little  woman  like  yonder 
one  feed  hogs  and  split  wood  as  it  is  not  to  paint 
meetin'  houses,"  cried  Dave,  looking  deeply 
wounded. 

"  Pho  !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Dave,  "  ye're  a  get  tin' 
yerself  all  riled  up  for  nothin'.  I  don't  care  ef 
he  does  come  and  help  and  go  home  and  tell  on't ; 
and  I  don't  care  if  they  do  say  ye're  mean  ;  like's 
not  if  I'd  married  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal, 
and  yer'd  a  refused  tb  help  paint  the  meetin'-house 
I  mought  a  said  so  myself.  Don't  talk  no  more,  it 
tires  me  to  hear  yer." 


AN    UNWELCOME  GUEST.  101 

Dave,  getting  so  little  sympathy  where  he  had 
a  right  to  look  for  it,  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources  for  consolation  and  wisdom  in  the  matter. 
He  peeped  out  of  one  window  and  then  out  of 
another.  He  opened  his  mouth  to  call  Weza  in, 
and  then  shut  it  without  uttering  a  sound.  He 
walked  the  floor  a  few  moments  meditating  on  a 
plan ;  when  suddenly  he  opened  the  door  and  went 
up  the  broad  old  staircase,  now  seldom  used  at  all. 
He  found  his  way  to  the  garret,  and  from  the  heap 
of  broken  chairs,  old  boots  and  hats,  books  and 
saddles,  where  Weza  had  found  her  umbrella  for 
the  party,  he  drew  out  two  guns  which  had  been 
fine  pieces  in  the  days  of  the  old  master,  and 
which  still  looked  very  fierce.  Their  outward  ap- 
pearance was  as  terrific  as  ever,  but  they  lacked 
the  soul  of  a  gun.  These  he  bore  in  triumph  down 
stairs  to  exhibit,  thinking  thus  to  alarm  the  in- 
truder. With  one  in  each  hand  he  walked  round 
the  house,  not  appearing  to  see  the  group  at  the 
bars,  but  expecting  that  at  sight  of  him  Zack  would 
run  over  the  corn-field ;  when  he  would  point  one 
of  them  at  him  and  threaten  to  take  his  life  if  ever 
he  showed  his  face  there  again.  What  was  his 
surprise,  then,  to  see  Zack  leave  his  friends,  and 
walk   deliberately  up  to  him.     Had  the  guns  been 


102  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

loaded,  Dave  would  have  run  now  ;  but  as  it  was, 
he  felt  uncommonly  brave. 

"  Good  evening,  Massa  Huggins,"  said  Zack. 
"  What  ye  doin'  wid  two  guns  ?  Le's  see  'em, 
please,  I's  a  powerful  fellow  at  firearms,"  con- 
tinued he ;  '^  been  a  great  gunner  and  hunter  in 
gineral,  from  de  cradle,  most;  and  I'm  great  on 
repairin'  guns,  too.  Well,  'pears  like  I'll  have 
business  here,  for  dese  is  only  de  shells  of  guns, 
but  over'n  our  shop  on  t'other  plantation  we've 
got  heaps  of  things  to  work  wid.  I'll  take  dem 
home  for  ye,  sir,  and  fix  'em  up  to-morrow  Or 
next  day.     Mighty  nice  weather,  sir." 

As  he  smiled,  and  showed  his  great  white  teeth, 
Huggins  became  reassured.  It  could  not  be,  he 
thought,  that  a  villain's  heart  could  be  liidden 
by  such  a  merry  face.  But  although  he  let  Zack 
take  the  guns  to  repair,  he  was  as  firm  as  ever 
in  his  resolution  "  not  to  have  him  prowlin'  about 
the  plantation." 

Zack  was  quite  independent,  saying,  as  Huggins 
turned  to  go  in,  "I  dropped  over  to  see  yer  folks 
arter  de  preachin',  and  I  reckon  I'll  take  a  bite  of 
somethin'  with  'em  'fore  I  goes  back,  wid  yer 
leave,  Massa  Huggins." 

To  this  proposition  Dave  said,  "  Well,"  in  no  very 
gracious  tones,   but   Zack    wasn't   sensitive ;   and 


AN   UNWELCOME  GUEST.  103 

now,  quite  at  his  case,  he  added,  "As  ycr  peoj)le 
don't  go  to  the  mectin',  I  thought  it  might  please 
de  Lord,  my  great  Massa,  if  I  come  over  and  re- 
peat what  I  heerd  from  de  preacher  dis  day." 

"  Got  heaps  of  rehglon  theirselves,"  growled 
Dave.  "  If  yer  missus  thinks  her  folks  is  the  only 
ones  that  gets  Soriptur'  larnin',  she's  mistakened, 
for  they  aint.  My  wife  has  giv'n  our  folks  a 
mighty  nice  Bible,  and  sot  Weza  a  teachin'  on  'em 
religion.  There's  three  on  'em  can  read  for  their- 
selves,  too.  I  never  teached  'em.  They  kind  o' 
ketched  their  larnin'  from  Miss  Huggins  and  me, 
I  reckons  ;  "  and  with  this  disclaimer  he  walked 
into  the  house,  leaving  Zack  quite  at  home  on  the 
place,  a  self-invited  guest  at  supper. 

Huggins'  dormant  energies  were  aroused  for 
once.  He  was  grieved,  frightened  and  angry,  as 
he  walked  back  to  his  chair  ;  but  Zack  was  m'aster 
of  the  situation,  and  had  matters  all  his  own  way 
.  in  the  kitchen.  After  Weza  had  prepared  supper 
for  her  master  and  mistress,  and  cleared  it  away 
again,  there  was  talking  and  reading  and  singing 
and  praying  in  the  kitchen,  and  as  much  freedom 
exercised  there  as  if  tlie  happy  creatures  owned  not 
only  tliemselves,  but  the  whole  world  too. 

There  were  times  when  this  class  were  liftcdabove 
poverty,  pain  and   oppression  ;    when   they  forgot 


104  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

themselves  and  all  their  oiit\Yard  circumstances, 
and  were  men  and  women  saved  by  grace,  and 
standing  face  to  face  with  their  Lord  and  Master. 
Then  they  envied  no  one,  feared  no  one  ;  but  were 
safe  and  happy  under  His  shadow,  where  alone  the 
high  and  the  low  can  find  rest  and  joy.  And  this 
was  one  of  those  times  which  they  called  "  standin' 
on  de  mount." 

"  Here  we  is  now,  brothers  and  sisters,"  said 
Zack,  "  wid  our  feet  planted  firm  on  Mount  Zion,  a 
talkin'  to  de  blessed  Master  Jesus,  and  hearin'  him 
answer  us.  'Pears  like  dis  was  a  greater  time  for 
us  den  dat  was  for  de  holy  'ciples  when  de  dear 
Lord  take  dem  on  de  Mount  wid  him,  when  dere 
'peared  Moses  and  'Lias  a  talkin'  wid  him.  He 
was  transfigured  afore  dem  once^  and  his  gar- 
ments shined  liked  de  light  'fore  dem  once.  He  is 
always  transfigTired  in  our  eyes ;  his  garments  al- 
ways shinin'  like  de  light  'fore  us.  He  stays  on' 
de  Mount  no  more  hungry,  no  more  tired,  yet  he. 
comes  down  to  us,  and  talks  wid  us  like  we  was 
Moses  and  'Lias.  He  looks  out  for  us  like  we  was 
kings,  and  he's  gettin'  places  ready  for  us  up  dere 
'mong  de  many  mansions,  and  bymeby  he'll  come 
and  take  us  home  to  glory.  Does  we  envy  any 
body  ?  No  sir.  Does  we  wisli  we  owned  two  plan- 
tations, like  dear  Massa  Leon,  but  had  no  Christ  ? 


AN    UNWELCOME   GUEST.  106 

No,  no,  no.  Does  we  wish  we  took  life  easy,  and 
was  our  own  massas  like  ^massa  Iluggins,  and  had 
not  hi  n'  to  do  but  eat  and  drink  and  sleep  like  dem 
folks  I  just  been  fcedin'  out  in  de  pen  ?  No,  no,  no. 
We's  willin'  to  wear  de  thorns  on  our  head  like  he 
did.  We's  willin'  to  walk  a  little  while  like  Jesus 
hissclf  walked  on  >de  'arth,  —  poor,  and  tired,  and 
without  a  house  like  de  birds  and  de  foxes,  and  no 
purse  o'  money,  and  not  even  our  liberty  to  go  and 
come  as  we  please.  We  can  'ford,  friends,  to  drink 
of  de  cup  he  drink  of,  and  to  be  baptized  wid  de 
baptism  he  was  baptized  wid  ;  yes,  more  den  dat, 
we's  willin'  to  die  like  he  died,  and  lie  in  de  grave 
a  little  while  like  he  did  ;  'case  bymeby  we'll  rise 
and  reign  wid  him  in  glory.  Now  I'll  sing  one  o' 
my  dear  mammy's  down-river  hymes,  and  you  may 
jine  in  de  chorus,  dat  goes  like  dis  : 

"  '  0,  glory,  glory,  glory  ! 
De  happy  day  shall  rise, 
"When  we  shall  meet  our  Jesus, 
Singin'  '  glor\''  in  de  skies.'  " 

"  0,  yes,  brother,"  interrupted  the  little  brown 
woman,  "  it's  easy  wearin'  thorns  on  yer  head,  and 
sleepin'  like  de  birds  and  foxes  ;  easy  'nough  goin' 
to  prison  or  to  death  ;  but  could  yer  sing  '  Glory, 
glory,  glory,'  if  de  thorns  was  in  yer  heart  ?  If  yer 
had  two  pretty  boys,  one  dat  yer  couldn't  get  to, 


106  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

and  t'other  one  lost  forever  and  forever  somewliar 

in  dis  great  wilderness,  could  yer  look  so  happy 

» 
and  sing,  '  Glory,  glory,  glory  ? '  " 

"  Sartin,"  replied  .  Zack  ;  "  de  bigger  and  de 
sharper  de  thorns,  de  louder  I'd  sing  of  de  glory 
dat's  beyond  !  If  things  went  all  our  way  here 
we'd  be  mighty  shy  of  heaven  and  keep  mighty 
still  about  de  glory  dat's  ahead!  We'd  be  sat- 
isfied to  hang  on  here  forever  1  Jesus  knows  dat, 
so  he  lets  de  thorns  be  put  on  to  de  head  or  into 
de  heart,  just  whar  we  needs  'em  most !  He 
knowed  what  arthly  love  was,  well  as  we  do  ;  and 
he  was  tempted  in  every  pint  like  we's  tempted ; 
and  he  pities  us,  and  when  he  sees  fit  he'll  remove 
de  thorns !  Now  try  for  to  trust  him  wid  yer  boys, 
yer  poor,  weak  woman,  and  bimeby  he'll  show  yer 
what  he's,  been  a  doin'  for  yer  all  dis  time.  De 
very  best  way  to  take  de  pints  off  o'  dem  thorns  is 
to  keep  all  de  time  lookin'  ahead  and  singin', 
'  Glory,  glory,  glory  '  !  " 

"  There,  now,"  cried  Dave  Huggins,  "  I've  stood 
this  ere  noise  as  long  as  I  can  !  "  and  opening  the 
outer  door,  he  called  to  Zack,  "  What  time  is  it, 
I'd  like  to  know  ?  I  reckons  that  watch  o'  yern 
is  run  down  !  " 

"  Well,  Massa  Huggins,  it's  ten  o'clock,"  re- 
plied the  good-natured  fellow,  "  and  I  reckons  yer 


AN   UNWELCOME   GUEST.  107 

thinks  it's  'bout  time  folks  dat  baint  got  no  passes 
sliould  go  liome !  Good-night,  massa ;  say  good- 
night to  missus  for  me,  please,  and  if  yer  ever 
wants  a  good  turn,  jist  call  on  dis  boy  wid  de 
strong  arms,  sir." 

Dave  couldn't  help  calling  out  ''  good-night " 
through  the  darkness,  and  felt  not  a  little  relieved 
when  he  heard  the  heavy  steps  of  Zack  falling  on 
the  sod  as  he  walked  toward  the  lane. 

"  There,  now !  "  cried  Dave  to  Mrs.  Huggins. 
But  he  might  as  well  have  addressed  the  "  cheer  " 
as  the  lady  who  sat  in  it,  for  she  had  long  been  in 
blest  oblivion.  "  There,  now,  yer  can't  quarrel 
with  that  fellow  if  yer  want  to  ;  and  it's  K)0  bad  ! 
I  shouldn't  ought  to  have  let  him'off  this  way  with- 
out forbiddin'  of  him  to  come  here  agin!  " 

The  truth  was,  that  Dave,  now  relieved  of  the 
wholesome  fear  Zack  had  inspired,  wanted  to  quar- 
rel with  somebody.  Mrs.  Huggins  was  asleep,  and 
couldn't  interfere  in  behalf  of  her  favorite,  so  he 
called  in  a  stern  tone,  when  sure  that  Zack  was 
out  of  hearing,  "  Weza,  come  here  to  me !  " 

The  little  woman  had  never  heard  him  speak  in 
such  a  rough  voice  before  ;  and  remembering  that 
she  had  been  forbidden  to  make  any  acquaintan- 
ces at  the  party,  she  trembled  violently  as   she 


108  OUT   OF  THE   AVILDERNESS. 

crossed  from  the  outer  kitchen  to  the  door  where 
he  was  standing  in  tlie  darkness. 

"  Well,  massa  ?  "  she  asked  meekly. 

"  What  did  I  say  to  yer  'bout  them  Leon  nig- 
gers a  comin'  over  here,  ha  ?  "  growled  Huggins. 

"  I  didn't  ax  dis  brother,  sir,  and  didn't  know 
he  was  a  comin'  till  I  see  him,"  she  answered. 

"  Well,  now,  this  ore's  only  a  beginning,  I  sup- 
pose ;  but  I'll  put  a  stop  to  it.  Don't  yer  ever  look 
at  that  fellow  nor  speak  to  him  while  I  own  ye  1 
Do  yer  hear  ?  " 

"  Yes,  massa,  I  hears,"  replied  the  little  woman, 
trembling  in  every  limb. 

"  And  will  yer  promise  on  yer  word  as  a  Chris- 
tian that  ye'll  obey  yer  master  in  all  things  ?  " 

"  0,  massa,  he's  been  so  kind  and  massiful  to 
me.  He's  so  pitiful,  and  he's  got  power  with  de 
great  Jesus  above,  —  'pears  like  He  does  whatever 
Zack  axes  him  to  do ;  and  he's  promised  to  keep 
at  Jesus,  day  and  night,  like  de  widow  keep  at  de 
unjust  judge,  till  he  send  me  some  word  about  my 
poor  boy  !  " 

"  Then  yer  won't  promise,  ha  ?  " 

"  0,  massa,  dem  chiFen  is  so  dear  to  my  heart ! " 
she  sobbed  out ;  ''  how  can  I  'fuse  to  speak  wid 
him  dat's  callin'  on  God  day  and  night  for  dem  ? 
Tears  like  dem  two  children  stands  right  'twixt 


AN  unwelco:me  guest.  109 

me  and  my  great  Massa,  sometimes,  and   hides 
Jesus  from  me ;  and  I  can't  stand  dat." 

"  Oh,  very  well,  just  as  yer  like,"  replied  Dave 
sarcastically.  "I  see  yer  don't  care  nothing  for 
yer  missus  and  me;  we've  been  so  cruel  to  yer; 
we've  starved  yer,  and  whipped  yer,  and  abused 
yer  so  ! " 

"  No,  massa,  dat's  not  so ;  ye've  been  kind  to 
me  ;  and  de  Lord  knows  I  prays  day  and  night 
dat  he  will  bless  ye  for  it !  I'm  such  a  poor  weak 
creatur'  that  hash  words  would  break  my  bones  as 
easy  as  hard  blows  1 " 

"  Yer  want  to  be  taken  down  river  and  sold,  I 
reckons,"  continued  Dave,  in  irony.  "It's  mighty 
nice  to  have  a  change  once  or  twice  a  year,  and 
yer  might  run  agin  yer  boy  somewhar  or  nother. 
There's  a  man  round  now,  makin'  up  a  gang  for 
Texyas;  that  would  be  a  pleasant  walk,  with 
plenty  of  company." 

At  these  words  the  little  woman  fell  down  at  his 
feet  in  the  darkness,  and  cried,  "  0,  massa!  Let 
me  sarve  yer  in  de  field  or  any  whar.  Give  me 
half  food  and  hajf  clothes,  but  don't  sell  me  ;  for 
if  yer  do,  my  boy'll  lose  track  of  me  forever  and 
forever !  And  Massa  George,  dat's  got  my  other 
little  one  too,  he'll  lose  me,  and  I'll  be  like  Rachel 
dat  wept  herself  to  death  'bout  her  children  !  " 


110  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Will  yer  promise  then  not  to  speak  to  that  fel- 
low, nor  any  other  of  the  I^eon  people,  nor  any 
body  else  that  comes  here  spyin'  round  my  planta- 
tion, as  long  as  yer  belong  to  me  ?  " 

"  I  can't  promise  dat  to-night,  massa,"  sobbed 
the  poor,  comfortless  creature. 

"  Very  good,  then.  That  Zack  was  a  pirate 
once ;  he  used  to  sail  to  fureign  shores,  and  trap 
vessels  and  rob  'em,  and  then  burn  'em  up  crew 
and  all  I  And  he's  been  a  highway  robber,  too ; 
and  lie's  raised  seven  insurractions  and  killed  two 
or  three  masters,  till  at  last  they  couldn't  hire  no 
body  to  own  him ;  and  so  his  master  sent  him  up 
here  for  his  own  safety.  Now,  if  yer,  as  a 
Christian  woman,  that  makes  believe  to  love  the 
Lord,  can  choose  him  afore  yer  kind  massa  and 
missus,  yer  may  !  " 

•'  0,  massa,  dat  can't  be  true !  He's  as  peaceable 
as  a  kitten  ;  and  Madam  Leon  tells  her  people  if 
dey'U  all  follow  Zack  dey'll  be  faithful  to  de 
Colonel  and  reach  heaven  bymeby,"  she  ventured 
to  reply  in  a  whisper. 

"  That's  to  flatter  him,  'cause  she's  feared  on 
him,'  said  Dave. 

"No,  sir ;  when  dey  went  off,  he  slept  in  de 
mansion  house  and  kep'  all  de  keys  and  —  " 

"  That's  enough,-  now  !     I  don't  argy  with  nig- 


AN   UNWELCOME   GUEST.  HI 

gers  !  I  lays  down  my  laws  and  that's  an  end 
on't  !  Yer  may  go  to  bed  now.  I'll  talk  to  yer  in 
the  morning,  and  tell  yer  'bout  a  letter  I've  had 
IVoni  little  Sampson's  owner  !  I  know  all  about 
the  boy,  and  if  I  was  to  try  I  could  get  him  here  to 
see  yer !  " 

Weza  shrieked  in  her  joy ;  but  her  master 
checked  her  by  adding,  "  Now  ye'U  get  yer  pay  for 
not  promisin'  what  I  axed  yer,  for  I  sha'n't  tell 
yer  a  word.     Zack  can  pray  it  all  out,  may  be  !" 

"  Please,  massa,  mought  I  speak  to  missus  afore 
I  goes  ?  "  asked  Weza,  weeping  bitterly. 

"'  No,  yer  moughtn't !  If  that  driver  that's 
round  here  calls  afore  I'm  up,  tell  him  to  wait,  as 
I've  got  business  to  do  with  him ! "  And  he 
closed  the  door  and  went  in. 

The  distressed  little  woman  sat  down  on  a 
benoh  by  the  door  and  placed  her  hands  despair- 
ingly over  her  heart.  She  closed  her  eyes,  and 
asked  help  of  Him  who  giveth  wisdom  to  the 
weakest  and  upbraideth  not.  And  a  calm  peace 
stole  over  her  heart  as  she  communed  with  her 
"  Brother  Jesus." 

The  light  disappeared  from  Huggins'  window'; 
and  in  a  few  moments  all  but  herself  were  sleep- 
ing. Then  remembering  tliat  tlie  Coloners  house 
was  full  of  guests  who  would  probably  be  late  in 


112  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

retiring,  she  sprung  up,  and  as  if  by  inspiration, 
resolved  to  run  over  the  fields  and  throw  herself 
on  tlie  mercy  of  the  gentle  mistress  there. 

Without  any  covering  on  her  head  or  shoulders, 
slie  set  off  in  the  chill  evening  air  to  seek  a  shel- 
ter ;  and  as  she  pressed  on  through  the  darkness, 
she  started  at  every  motion  of  the  trees  or  at  the 
barking  of  a  distant  dog.  And  as  she  went  she 
prayed  for  strength  and  pity. 


CHAPTER  X. 


MADAM   LEON. 


MADAM  Leon  was  a  tall,  graceful  lady,  with  a 
pale,  sweet  lace,  far  too  young  for  such  silvery 
curls  as  hers.  But  she,  amid  all  her  riches  and 
comforts,  had  seen  deep  sorrow.  She  too  had  trod 
"  the  wilderness,"  and  its  thorns  and  briars  had 
pierced  her  feet.  She  had  passed  through  floods 
and  flames  such  as  encompass  few  women  in  the 
quiet  walks  of  life.  In  maidenhood  she  had  been 
stung  by  family  mortifications  as  well  as  by  the 
death  of  those  who  had  brought  the  cloud  upon 
their  name,  and  who  were  yet  very  dear  to  her. 
In  later  years  death  had  made  sad  havoc  among 
her  treasures,  laying  mother,  sisters  and  little  chil- 
dren in  the  grave,  and  she  had  borne  her  sorrows 
alone.  Her  father  believed  only  in  "  fate,"  and 
had  encouraged  her  to  bear  bravely  what  must  l>c 
borne  in  some  way.  The  Colonel,  kind  and  tender, 
bad —  after  she  became  his  wife  —  striven  to  draw 

113 


114  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

her  iiiind  from  deatli  by  leading  her  into  gay  lite, 
lioj^ing  to  make  her  forget  her  dead  idols  by  re- 
l)lacing  tliem  with  living  ones.  Journeys,  parties, 
dress  and  jewels  could  not  heal  the  spirit  God  had 
wounded.  There  were  none  of  her  family,  none  of 
her  associates  who  understood  her  case ;  and  as 
blow  after  blow  fell  on  her  defenceless  head,  she 
became  convinced  that  God  meant  to  destroy  her. 
The  gay  minister  whose  church  they  attended  at  a 
distance,  tried  to  console  her,  as  the  Colonel  did, 
by  drawing  her  mind  still  farther  from  Him  who 
held  the  rod.  He  preached  on  Sunday,  and  talked 
of  the  consolations  of  religion  in  tlic  week —  if  oc- 
casion required  ;  but  most  of  his  time  was  spent  in 
riding,  Imnting  and  feasting  with  his  few  wealthy 
neighbors,  apparently  as  regardless  of  their  souls 
as  if  he  had  uever  heard  of  God  or  eternity.  He 
was  a  blind  leader  of  the  blind. 

One  evening,  years  before  our  story  opens,  this 
man  being  the  Colonel's  guest,  and  the  "  missus'  " 
heart  being  borne  down  by  restless  longings  for 
peace,  she  gatheied  her  large  family  for  prayers  in 
the  long  dining-room.  The  clergyman  satisfied 
himself  by  calling  down  blessings  on  "the  basket 
and  the  store  "  of  his  friends,  and  by  praying  at 
the  servants,  thus  giving  them  incentives  to  oijedi- 
ence  and  threats  a^'ainst  rebellion.     When  he  and 


MADAM   LEON.  115 

llie  Colonel  left  tlie  hall  for  their  cigars,  '•  missus  " 
asked  old  Cleo  what  she  thought  of  the  .prayer. 

''  I  thinks,"  replied  she  plainly,  "  dat  it  is  like  de 
chaff  which  de  wind  driveth  away ;  like  steam,  and 
froth,  and  fog,  and  mist,  dat  yer  can't  get  a  hold 
on  I  It  never  went  higher  den  de  ruff  o'  de  house, 
missus,  dat's  sartin  ;  and  it  won't  bring  down  no 
answer  of  peace  into  yer  soul.  I's  a  better  doctor 
for  yer  den  yer  grand  doctor ;  and  I's  a  better 
minister  den  dis  huntin'  and  fishin'  and  billiardin' 
genTman  is.  ^lissus,  i  must  keep  my  place,  and 
not  go  preach  to  a  fine,  high-born  lady  ;  but  let  me 
speak  out  once  for  my  Master  and  tell  yer  dere  is  a 
balm  in  Gilead  and  a  physician  dere.  If  yer'll 
only  jest  go  dere,  yer'll  come  bright  out  of  all  yer 
troubles.  Den  yer'll  shine  like  a  star  in  de  firm' 
ment  forever,  and  change  yer  tears  for  songs  o' 
praise  to  de  Lord  dat  love  yer  and  led  yer  up  out 
o'  de  wild'ness,  and  dat  will  save  yer  with  an  ever- 
lastin'  salvation.  0,  missus,  dear,  yer  lookin'  de 
wrong  way  for  peace.  Do  ye  'spect  life  to  spring 
out  of  de  grave,  or  peace  out  o'  rebellion  ?  No, 
no  ;  just  take  a  hold  o'  dat  hand  dat's  a  beckonin' 
to  yer,  and  yer'll  soon  find  yerself  on  de  road  to 
glory.'  'Tain't  no  use  fightin'  agin  God,  and  it 
aint  no  use  tryin'  to  buy  'ligion  wid  good  works 
and   sich   like.     De  Lord  is  a  dcalin'  wid  yer  in 


116  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

massy,  like  a  mother  deal  wid  her  bad  child  to 
bring  it  down.  But  she  loves  her  child  all  de 
more  for  she  try  to  make  it  good ;  and  so  de  dear 
Lord  deal  wid  yer  dear  heart.  'Cause  he  love  he 
chasten,  so  de  good  book  say." 

"  0,  you  hap}>y  old  woman!  "  cried  the  rich  lady. 
"  How  I  envy  you  your  peace  and  joy  !  " 

"  So  well  yer  may,  missus  dear ;  for  I  wouldn't 
change  crowns  for  no  queen  on  arth.  Now  yer 
send  Tom  hossback  over  to  de  judge's  to-morrow, 
and  ax  mought  '  Preacbin'  Jack '  come  over  here 
to  see  yer.  I  knows  dat's  mighty  humblin'  to 
proud  natur'  for  a  rich  lady  to  seek  larnin'  of  a 
poor  black  man ;  but  poor  natur'  has  got  to  bow 
down  some  way,  and  dis  way  is  as  good  as  any 
other.  I  know  de  way,  de  truth  and  de  light  as 
well  as  Preacbin'  Jack  does,  but  I  haint  got  '  de 
gift '  likje  him.  Now  I  'spects  dis  fine  clergyman 
here  for  a  gen^Vman^  but  for  a  CJiristimi,  —  pho ! 
he  aint  got  no  more  'ligion  into  him  -den  our 
tort' shell  cat  has.  Now,  dear,  I's  said  my  say  dat's 
been  a  burnin'  in  my  heart  a  long  time  and  dat 
I've  been  axin'  de  Lord  to  gin  me  a  chance  to  say. 
If  yer  can  stoop  down  in  de  dust  to  get  it  ye'll  find 
peace  to  yer  soul." 

Madam  Leon  did  stoop  to  the  dust.  She  sent 
for   '  Preacbin'    Jack',   and  through  a  few  simple 


MADAM   LEON.  117 

words  from  him,  the  veil  was  removed  from  licr 
eyes,  and  she  ceased  from  her  great  efforts  for 
peace,  gave  u})  her  rebellion  against  God,  and 
found  rest  to  her  soul,  —  rest  which,  although  it 
had  now  and  then  been  ruffled,  had  never  been 
broken,  but  had  flowed  on  like  a  broad,  calm 
river. 

Being  isolated  from  spiritual  Christians,  this 
lovely  woman  had  not  scorned  communion  with 
the  lowly  members  of  the  Lord's  fold  in  her  family 
and  around  her.  By  the  indulgence  of  the  Colonel, 
winking  at  what  he  did  not  approve  of,  she  im- 
parted while  receiving  instruction.  Her  Sunday 
evening  school  became  a  joyous  festival  for  her 
large  family,  many  of  whom  had  now  been  brought 
to  Jesus  by  her  efforts  for  them.  She  also  read  a 
chapter  in  the  kitchen  every  evening  after  tea,  and 
called  on  one  or  another  of  the  family  to  pray, 
after  which  they  sang  their  rude  melodies  of  praise 
to  God.  If  there  could  have  been  such  a  thing  as 
extracting  "  the  nails  and  thorns  "  from  slavery  it 
would  have  been  done  on  that  plantation. 

Madam  Leon,  always  forebearing  and  pitiful,  be- 
came doubly  so  after  her  union  to  the  compassion- 
ate Saviour,  She  thenceforth  charged  her  heart 
with  the  sorrows  and  the  sicknesses  of  her  people, ' 
and  watched  for  their  souls  as  one  who  must  give 


118  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

• 

account.  And  yet,  brought  up  amidst  slavery,  and 
liavmg  seen  little  of  its  worst  features,  her  con- 
science never  accused  her,  nor  did  she  at  that  time 
make  one  effort  to  break  the  chain.  But  shall  any 
one  dare  to  say  she  was,  therefore,  not  a  living  and 
a  loving  disciple  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ?  Never.  She 
did  not  dream  of  raising  lier  sable  friends  to  a  so- 
cial position  among  their  whiter  brethren,  and  yet 
she  would  have  washed  their  feet  in  imitation  of 
Jesus,  and  in  obedience  to  him. 

Such  was  the  w^oman  into  whose  family  Zack 
had  been  introduced  by  his  master,  under  the  feint 
of  a  sale,  to  please,  or  rather  to  appease,  the  mad- 
spirited  woman  to  whom  he  had  blindly  linked 
himself  in  the  bond  which  only  death  can  sever. 
Such  was  the  woman  to  whom  poor  Weza  flew  in 
her  anguish,  with  a  strong  assurance  that  she 
could  help  her. 

It  was  late  on  the  Sunday  night  after  Zack's  de- 
parture from  the  Huggins  plantation,  that  Colonel 
Leon  sat  on  his  broad,  fine  verandah,  with  three  or 
four  gentlemen,  chatting  of  politics,  and  of  the 
crops,  and  testing  cigars.  In  the  long  avenue 
which  led  from  the  house  through  an  orange  grove 
to  the  road,  a  heap  of  corn-cobs  was  smouldering 
for  the  inconvenience  of  the  mosquitos  that  swarm- 
ed about.     A  pretty  mulatto  boy  ran  between  that 


MADAM    LEON.  119 

and  a  distant  shed  with  a  haskct  to  replenish  ilio 
fire,  wliich,  Avhen  stirred  up,  cast  a  wild  hght  over 
tlic  party  on  the  verandah,  the  glossy  foUage  and 
the  boy,  who,  having  slept  half  the  day  in  the  sun, 
was  now  wide  awake,  and  eager  to  hear  all  that 
was  said. 

At  length  the  fire  waned,  and  the  little  foes  ap- 
proached the  house  and  gained  access  to  the  parlor, 
where  the  ladies  were  singing  songs  in  keeping 
with  the  hour. 

A  complaint  was  made  by  them,  when  the  Colo- 
nel called  out,  in  a  voice  terrific  to  one  who  did  not 
know  him,  "  Prince,  keep  up  your  fire  there,  you 
lazy  young  dog  ;  you  might  as  well  be  in  bed  — 
where  you  ought  to  be —  as  here." 

But  Prince,  w4io  was  leaning  against  a  pillar  of 
the  verandah,  didn't  move,  but  mumbled  something 
between  his  teeth. 

"  Why  don't  you  start  ?  "  cried  the  Colonel,  in 
still  fiercer  tones,  but  with  a  most  unruffled  man- 
ner. 

"  'Case  Ps  feared,  massa  !  Can't  Jim,  or  Ceaze, 
or  some  o'  dem  bold  ones,  bring  de  cobs  now, 
please  ? "         • 

"  Afraid  !  "  cried  the  Colonel.  "  The  truth  is, 
the  women  in  the  kitchen,  and  the  ladies  in  the 
house,  pet  and  coddle  you  up  till  they're  making  a 


120  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

fool  of  you  !  You  won't  bring  the  price  of  a  dog 
when  3^ou're  a  man." 

"  Dey  say  Fs  mighty  smart,  'stead  of  being  a 
fool,"  replied  the  little  fellow,  grinning.  "  I  reck- 
ons. Mammy  Cleo  wants  me  to  fill  her  snuff  box 
now,  in  a  mighty  big  hurry !  Can't  I  go  send 
Ceaze,  sir  ?  " 

"  Tell  me  first  what  you're  afraid  of  with  half  a 
dozen  gentlemen  close  by  you  ?  "  And  the  colonel 
took  him  by  the  curls  and  shook  him  playfully. 

"  I  heerd  a  sound,  massa,"  replied  Prince,  open- 
ing his  fine  eyes  and  setting  his  lips  apart,  as  if  to 
show  his  white  teeth  off  to  the  best  advantage. 

"  What  kind  of  a  sound  ?  Music  from  the 
parlor,  or  praying  from  the  kitchen  ? "  asked  the 
gentleman. 

"  Nether,  massa  ;  but  a  sob-like,  and  a  groan- 
like, and  a  rustin-like,  and  a  moanin',  and  a  creep- 
in',  and  a  whisperin',  and  all  kinds  of  easy  noises, 
like  ghosts  in  de  graveyard,  and  when  der's  dead 
folks  about !  I'll  run  and  hide  if  Ceaze  don't  come  ; 
and  den  de  'squiters  will  eat  up  all  de  ladies ! " 
And  with  this  terrible  threat  the  independent 
young  gentleman  took  to  his  heels  .and  was  soon 
safe  under  the  wing  of  Mammy  Cleo,  with  whose 
authority  neither  blacks  nor  whites  interfered. 
She  took  the  discipline  of  all  the  children  into  her 


MADAM  LEON.  121 

own  hands ;  and  the  result  was,  there  was  little 
which  went  by  the  name  of  discipline  among  them. 
l>ut  I'or  all  that,  they  were  good  and  })leasant  chil- 
dren and  less  given  to  lying  and  theft  than  most  of 
tlicir  class.  There  was  no  premium  set  on  these 
vices  by  the  Colonel,  by  either  whipping  or  starv- 
ing them ;  though  they  swarmed  like  hungry 
locusts.  As  to  "  madam,"  it  was  true,  as  Huggins 
had  said,  "  she  kept  a  sharp  eye  on  the  overseer 
and  had  a  finger  in  every  thing  that  went  on  on 
the  plantation." 

The  little  mulatto's  departure  was  not  a  mean 
desertion  in  the  face  of  the  foe  ;  for  he  at  once  sent 
a  subslitute  in  the  person  of  the  keen-witted  little 
fellow  who  was  driving  the  pleasure  party  in 
''Massa  Huggins'  old  tumble  down  car'age,"  on  the 
day  of  Weza's  arrival  there.  He  now  came  up, 
armed  with  a  stick  longer  than  himself,  saying  to 
the  laughing  gentlemen,  "  I's  two  years  younger  as 
Prince  is,  but  I  isn't  half  such  a  goose  !  I  aint 
afeared  o'  sights  nor  sounds  nor  nothin'.that  can't 
hit  me  a  lick  !  Don't  believe  he  heard  nothin', 
only  he  was  mighty  sleepy  and  want  to  go  to  bed. 
I's  brave !  I  can  kick  hot  coals  wid  my  bare  foot 
and  lift  corn-cobs  up  when  dey  all  afire.  Harkee, 
massa,  what's  dat  noise  'mong  de  trees,  ha  ? " 
And  reaching   forward   his  head,  the    brave   hero 


122  OUT   OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 

peered  in  among  the  bushes,  looking  the  very 
picture  of  horror  !  And  not  stopping  to  kick  or 
pick  up  the  coals,  he  followed  Prince ! 

"  I  heard  something  myself  then,"  said  the  Colo- 
nel, rising  and  going  towards  the  spot  whence  the 
the  sound  came. 

"Hallo,  there  I"  he  cried.  "Who's  this,  and 
what  are  you  hiding  for  !     Matty,  is  that  you  ?  " 

"  No,  massa,"  cried  a  weak  voice,  "  it's  none  of 
yer  happy  people,  but  a  poor  sheep  of  de  Lord  Je- 
sus', wanderin'  heart-broken  in  de  wild'ness  !  I 
felt  just  like  He  told  me  to  come  here  to  yer  mis- 
sus, and  tell  her  my  troubles  and  she  would  listen 
for  Christ's  sake,  'case  I  was  his'n.  I  got  here  and 
darsn't  go  up  to  de  house  till  de  company  was  gone 
in  and  de  lights  was  out,  and  de  music  quit,  den  I 
was  goin'  up  to  call  her  and  fall  down  on  my  knees 
and  beg  her  to  make  Massa  Huggins  tell  me  where 
my  boy  is !  I  can't  live  if  I  don't  know  mighty 
soon !  Have  massy  on  me,  massa,  and  let  your 
blessed  missus  come  out  and  speak  to  me,  way  from 
de  fine  company,"  cried  Weza,  clasping  her  hands 
as  if  in  prayer. 

"  Come  out  here,  my  woman,"  said  the  Colonel ; 
"  you  surely  haven't  run  off  from  fear  of  your  mas- 
ter ?  I  should  as  soon  be  afraid  of  an  old  sheep  ! 
It  isn't  in  him  to  be  cruel.     Whatever's  the  matter 


MADAM   LEON.  123 

between  you,  he'll  sleep  off  his  anger.  But  come 
with  me  if  you  want  to  see  madam.  She's  the 
friend  of  all,  thank  Heaven  !  And  she  keeps  her- 
self in  business. too,"  he  added  to  his  guests,  with 
a  smile.  # 

The  poor,  trembling  woman  was  led  into  the 
hall,  and  the  lady,  when  called,  left  her  guests  and 
came  out  to  meet  her. 

"  Ah,  my  poor  little  woman,"  she  said,  "  is  this 
you  ?  I  hope  nothing  has  gone  wrong  with  you 
and  my  neighbors.  Come  with  me  to  my  own 
room  and  let  me  know  if  I  can  help  you." 

The  "  little  brown  woman  "  told  her  whole  his- 
tory to  the  lady,  down  to  the  hour  when  Massa 
Huggins  revealed  the  story  of  the  letter,  and  vowed 
that  she  should  never  see  it  and  never  know  where 
her  boy  was. 

The  lady  asked,  "  What  did  Mrs.  Huggins  say  ?  " 

"  0,  missus  dear,  massa  wouldn't  even  let  me 
speak  to  her,  and  said  maybe  I'd  never  speak  to 
her  on  arth  agin.  Dere's  a  driver  round  arter  a 
gang,  and  I's  feared  he'll  sell  me  in  de  morning." 

Madam  Leon  smiled.  "  Keep  your  mind  easy, 
my  poor  woman,  about  being  sold.  There's  no 
driver  about.  Although  we  never  sell  our  people, 
we  hear  every  thing  that  goes  on  among  tliose  who 
do ;  and  I  know  there's  no  truth  in  this  !     Beside, 


124  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

you're  tlie  only  person  in  that  house  to  get  the 
food  ;  and  they  like  you  too  well  to  sell  you.  Go 
home  now  and  go  to  bed  quietly,  trying  to  trust 
your  boys  with  God,  and  I  will  ask  the  Colonel 
what  he  tjan  do  for  you.  Be  sure  Mrs.  Huggins 
will  take  your  part ;  and  as  for  your  poor  massa', 
he's  more  afraid  of  her  than  you  are  of  him.  I 
will  shield  you  from  being  sold  ;  for  if  they  offer 
you,  the  Colonel  willbuy  you  rather  than  have  you 
sent  off  far  from  your  children.  Surely,  my  little 
woman,  you  can  trust  your  boys  where  you  trust 
your  soul,  can't  you?  —  with  the  tender  Saviour  ?  " 

Weza  burst  into  tears ;  and  smiling  through 
them,  she  said,  "  Yes,  yes,  angel  of  a  lady,  I  can, 
and  I  will  too;  and  I'll  go  home  and  love  old 
massa  and  missus,  and  love  my  hard  work,  and 
thank  de  dear  Lord  for  dem  all  I  " 

Then  the  lone  creature  set  off  with  a  far  lighter 
heart  over  the  corn-field  for  home  ;  and  that  night 
she  slept  the  sleep  which  God  giveth  to  his  be- 
loved. 

The  next  morning  poor  Dave  looked  far  more 
like  the  humbled  party  than  Weza  did.  He  had 
unwisely  related  his  last  night's  work  to  Mrs. 
Huggins,  who  was  more  stirred  by  it  than  she 
could  have  been  by  one  of  the  "  yarthquakes  "  she 
had  always  talked  of.     She  had  actually  taken  her 


MADAM   LEON.  125 

])ipe  out  of  her  mouth  aud  laid  it  beside  her  plate 
at  the  breakfast  table  that  she  might  scold  without 
hindrance. 

''  Mighty  hard  on  me,  a  poor,  tired  woman  and 
stiff  in  the  jints  too  !  Mought  ha'  let  my  little 
woman  alone  when  she's  the  only  decent  one  I've 
had  for  seven  year!  But  you  must  go  scoldin' 
about  her  'ligion  and  'cause  a  man  spoke  to  her, 
and  tellin'  her  about  that  letter,  and  a  frettin'  of 
her  in  gineral." 

"  I  didn't ! "  Dave  ventured  to  say,  but  it  was 
said  much  as  a  whipped  but  unsubdued  boy  rei)lies 
to  his  father.  "  I  knowed  he'd  go  home  and  tell 
that  our  fences  was  down  and  our  carts  broke  and 
our  bosses  lame  and  our  house  runnin'  down  and 
every  thing  !  And  I  don't  want  nobody  a  spyin' 
about  and  tellin'  my  family  secrets." 

"  Family  secrets  1 "  cried  Mrs.  Dave,  scornfully. 
"  I  guess  the  Colonel's  got  eyes  !  He  couldn't  live 
within  ten  miles  of  us  and  not  know  that  I've  gin 
up  tryin'  to  keep  things  straight  'cause  yer 
haint  got  no  ambition.  I  tell  yer  our  secrets  is 
all  out  doors.  If  I'd  a  married  the  Colonel  when  I 
was  a  gal,  things  wouldn't  a'  been  in  this  here 
condition !  " 

"Umph!"  growled  Dave,  "if  I'd  a  married 
Madam  Leon  when  I  was  young,  things  on   that 


126  OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 

plantation  wouldn't  'a'  looked  as  they  do  now,  — 
no,  no,  that  isn't  what  I  mean.  I  mean  things 
wouldn't  'a'  —  'a'  —  looked,  —  "     . 

"  Pho  !  "  cried  Mrs.  Dave,  "  I  reckon  that's  it, 
whether  yer  mean  it  or  not.  They  wouldn't  'a' 
looked  as  they  do  now,  sure  !  They'd  'a'  looked 
used  up  in  gineral,  mostly,  I  reckon." 

Dave  was  just  trying  to  right  himself  on  the  su]> 
ject,  when  Mrs.  Huggins  dropped  her  hands  and 
threw  back  her  head  as  if  smitten  with  a  sudden 
palsy,  and  exclaimed,  "  As  sure's  I'm  sittin'  in  this 
cheer"  —  a  surer  thing  couldn't  be — "there  comes 
the  Colonel's  smart  car'age  with  him  and  her  and 
two  of  their  companies  comin'  to  call  on  me. 
Where  shall  I  hide  ?  No,  Huggins,  you  go  hide  ; 
Weza,  bring  me  my  changeable  silk  gown  and 
crape  shawl,  and  my  bonnet  and  parasol  and  fan. 
No,  no,  not  the  bonnet  nor  parasol  nor  fan.  Folks 
don't  need  them  to  see  company.  Pick  up  the 
dishes  !     Fly,  now  !  " 


CHAPTER  XI. 


GREAT   EVENTS. 


THERE  are  great  events  in  the  history  of  every 
family,  and  such  was  this  visit  of  Colonel 
and  Madam  Leon  to  the  Huggins  mansion.  Mrs. 
Huggins  had  barely  time  to  throw  on  her  changea- 
ble silk  and  hide  its  unclosed  front  with  the  gay 
crape  shawl,  but  not  time  to  arrange  her  elf  locks, 
before  the  carriage  stopped  at  the  door.  The  lord 
of  the  mansion  was  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  their  elbows 
bearing  evidence  that  Mrs.  Huggins  was  stiff  in 
her  fingers  as  well  as  in  other  -'jints."  His  slii> 
pers  had  been  manufactured  with  a  jack-knife  from 
a  pair  of  old  boots,  and  bore  strong  proof  that 
"  reconstructing  "  was  not  recreating. 

"  Ketch  up  the  odd  things  that's  lyin'  round  and 
fling  my  pipe  out  of  the  window,  Weza,  for  Obed 
says  madam  thinks  it's  a  shame  for  a  woman  to 
smoke,  and  don't  even  let  her  black  women  do  it ; 
and  when  they  knocks  tell  'em   yer'll  come  in  and 

127 


128  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

see  if  I'm  home,  'case  I  wouldn't  like  them  to 
think  I  dressed  up  a  purpose  for  them,"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins. 

It  was  the  middle  of  the  forenooon,  and  quite  a 
proper  time  for  a  call.  The  "  companies  "  sat  in 
the  carriage,  while  the  Colonel  and  his  lady  came 
in  just  in  time  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  Dave's  elbows 
as  he  fled  into  the  back  entry.  They  must  have  been 
a  little  surprised  at  the  style  in  which  their  hostess 
was  half  gotten  up,  but  more  so  when  she  ex- 
pressed regret  that  she,  "  bein'  uncommon  stiff  in 
the  jints  that  mornin',  should  have  such  a  late 
breakfast  and  been  ketched  with  this  here  old  gown 
and  shawl  on."  For  although  there  was  no  social 
visiting  between  these  two  families,  they  often  met 
at  funerals  ;  and  the  lady  had  never  seen  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins  in  any  other  dress,  summer  or  winter,  but  the 
one  just  spoken  of  so  scornfully. 

After  the  usual  civilities  were  over,  the  Colonel 
asked,  "  Can  we  see  neighbor  Huggins  this  morn- 
ing ?  " 

"  Well,  yes,"  rephed  Mrs.  Dave,  "  he's  about 
some'ere  or  nother,  a  seein'  arter  things.  He  lias 
to  be  up  with  the  sun,  a  lookin'  arter  these  lazy 
creeturs.  I  tell  yer,  Colonel,  it's  mighty  hard  run- 
nin'  a  plantation  without  an  overseer.  The  nig- 
gers shirks  so  under   the  gentleman   hisself — at 


GREAT   EVENTS.  129 

least  ours  docs,  mostly.  Weza !  Wcza-a-a-ali  I" 
slic  added,  at  the  same  time  thumping  loudly  with 
a  chair  on  the  floor. 

The  little  brown  woman  appeared,  looking  very 
shy.  The  excitement  of  this  great  event,  on  which 
she  felt  sure  that  her  destiny  hun^,  brought  color 
even  to  her  dark  cheek. 

"  Weza,"  said  her  mistress,  "  take  your  master's 
coat  out  to  him  —  he's  some'er's  off  on  the  planta- 
tion a  lookin'  arter  his  men  —  and  tell  him  no  mat- 
ter what  he's  a  doin'  of  he  must  come  in,  for  Colo- 
nel Leon  and  madam's  here.  And  tell  him  he's 
been  out  so  long  it's  time  he  had  a  rest." 

Weza  took  the  coat  from  a  press  and  went  into 
the  front  entry,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  time  — 
considering  how  far  off  her  master  had  been  —  he 
appeared,  shining  as  if  he  had  been  scoured  with 
soft  soap.  His  full  gray  hair  stood  up  in  strongly 
defined  ridges,  having  been  combed  with  his  big 
fingers,  there  being  no  adequate  toilet  arrange- 
ments in  the  back  entry.  He  gave  his  guests  a 
very  damp  right  hand,  and  said  to  each,  "  I'm 
proud  to  see  yer,  and  I   hope  yer  find  yerselves 

well." 

After  they  had  chatted  about  the  crops  and  the 
wood  which  Dave  was  selling  to  the  river-boats, 


130  OUT   OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

the  host  rose  and  asked,  "  Have  brandy  or  gin, 
Colonel  ?  " 

"  Oh,  neither,  thank  you,"  replied  the  gentleman, 
with  an  arch  smile.  "  Among  the  bad  habits  this 
good  lady  broke  me  of  twenty  years  ago  was  that 
of  drinking  gin.  She  told  me  then  never  to  touch 
it,  and  I  haven't  dared  to  do  so  since." 

"  Yer  drink  wine,  don't  yer  ?  " 

"  Yery  seldom.  Once  in  a  while  at  a  public  din- 
ner, when  she's  not  there  to  watch  me,  I  do  take 
one  glass  ;  but  I  call  myself  a  temperance  man," 
said  the  Colonel. 

"  Well,"  replied  Huggins  —  quite  at  his  ease  on 
a  theme  of  which  he  felt  himself  master  —  "  so  be 
I  a  temperance  man  —  on  my  own  hook.  I've  been 
axed  agin  and  agin  to  jine  pledges,  but  I  tell  'em  I 
can  be  a  temperate  man  without  no  oaths.  I'm  an 
American  citizen,  born  free.  The  first  article  of 
faith  in  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  is, 
'  All  men  is  born  free  and  equal ' ;  now,  if  I  signs 
away  my  liberty  to  drink  gin  when  I'm  a  mind  to, 
why,  then,  I'm  no  longer  '  free  and  equal,'  but  a 
slave  to  a  temperance  'siety.  I  call  it  an  awful 
thing  not  to  be  free  and  equal  in  a  country  whose 
articles  of  faith  says,  every  man's  free  and  equal. 
But  I'm  a  temperance  man,  for  all  that ;  for  no 
man  alive  ever  saw  me  so  tipsy  that  I  didn't  know 


GREAT   EVENTS.  131 

what  I  was  about.  I  can  drink,  and  drink,  and 
drink,  and  yet  walk  as  straight  as  ycr  do.  Now 
that's  more  than  these  tem}jerance  \sieties  can  do. 
If  they  should  drink  a  tenth  part  the  gin  I  do, 
they'd  stagger  like  a  spent  top,  they  would." 

When  Dave  had  thus  defined  his  position  on  the 
temperance  question,  the  Colonel  changed  the  sub- 
ject to  negi'oes ;  and  after  a  moment  he  said,  "  I 
heai-  you  are  trying  to  sell  this  little  woman  we 
just  saw.  My  wife  wants  one*  about  like  her,  so 
we  thought  we'd  drive  over  and  make  some  in- 
quiries," 

"  Sell  her!  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Dave,  ''  I'd  as  soon 
sell  Am,"  and  she  pointed  at  her  husband  with 
most  unconjugal  coolness. 

"  Excuse  me,"  said  the  Colonel.  "  I  was  in- 
formed that  you  said  there  was  a  driver  about  here 
making  up  a  gang  for  Texas,  and  that  ke  was  to 
call  on  you  this  morning,  when  you  were  to  sell 
her.     I  hadn't  heard  of  the  driver  before." 

"  There,  now,^'  cried  Dave,  "  that  ere's  the  work 
of  Obed.  Him  and  that  boss  o'  his'n  is  doing 
heaps  of  mischief  by  carrying  news  from  one  plan- 
tation to  another.  I  suppose  they  was  sittin'  about 
some'er's  in  the  dark  last  night  when  I  was  for- 
biddin'  Weza  to  steal  bacon  and  chickens  to  give 


13 V  OUT   OF   THE   \MLDERNESS. 

to  the  boatmen  she's  got  acquainted  with  and  that 
are  forever  prowlin'  about." 

"  Never  see  a  boatman  oii  the  place,  and  don't 
believe  she  ever  stole  a  pin,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins. 
"  Did  yer  threaten  to  sell  her  ?  " 

"Well,  I  just  hinted  that  if  she  didn't  walk 
straight  and  keep  strange  niggers  ofif  my  plantation 
I  mought  be  driv'  to  rash  measures,"  said  Dave. 

"  If  you've  any  such  thought,"  said  madam  Leon, 
"  my  husband  will  give  you  a  hundred  dollars 
more  than  you  paid  for  her  ?  "  ^ 

"  I  wouldn't  take  a  thousand,"  cried  Mrs.  Dave. 
"  I  feel  like  I'd  bought  a  mother  and  a  sister  and  a 
darter  and  a  sarvant  all  in  one.  She's  the  only 
real  bargain  Huggins  ever  got ;  and  he  wouldn't 
have  got  her  so  cheap  at  auction.  She  was  on  a 
plantation,  and  couldn't  stand  the  hot  sun.  She 
was  born  ^  lady's  maid,  and  that's  what  makes  her 
so  valuable  to  me  ;  she  can  dress  my  hair  so  beau- 
tiful and  wait  on  me  in  giueral.  The  rest  of  our 
niggers  aint  wuth  their  feedin'." 

"  Yes,",  said  Dave,  "  she's  right.  I  have  had 
mighty  bad  luck  with  hands.  See  how  old  my 
three  men  is  and  how  lame  them  two  boys  is." 

"  But  you  know,"  suggested  the  Colonel,  "  the 
men  wern't  infants  when  you  bought  them,  and  the 
others  were  alwavs  lame." 


GREAT   EVENTS. 


138 


"Tliere's  Obcd,I  couldn't  give  him  away,— boss 
and  all,"  cried  Hiiggins,  mournfully. 
"  Did  you  give  any  thing  for  him  ?  " 
"  Well,  no,  not  a  big  price,  and  I  wish  I  hadn't 
took  him  at  all.  He's  gettin  powerful  sharp  now-a- 
days.  When  he  goes  to  the  spring  he  takes  a  jour- 
ney round  tellin'  family  secrets.  I  do  believe  he 
sleeps  a  hossback  and  was  woke  up  by  me  advisin' 
Weza." 

''  Well,  neighbor  Huggins,  my  news  didn't  come 
through  Obed,  at  all.  But  of  course  the  woman  is 
yours,  and  you've  a  right  to  keep  her.  I'm  not  the 
one  to  worry  a  neighbor." 

"  Thank  ye  Colonel,  ye've  always  been  civil  to 
me,"  said  Dave. 

"  You've  had  a  letter  about  the  poor  woman's  boy, 
haven't  you  ?  My  women  told  their  mistress  how 
distressed  she  was  about  losing  him  when  she  was 
sold,"  said  the  Colonel. 

"  Well,  yes,  a  kind  of  a  letter,"  rephed  Dave. 
"  There  wasn't  mwh  in  it,  and  what  w^as  in  it 
wasn't  worth  telhn'.  So  I  didn't  read  it  to  her  and 
had  forgot  all  about  it." 

"  But  you  will  tell  her  where  the  boy  is  and 
write  to  his  owner  surely  ?  "  asked  the  Colonel. 
"  You  and  I  had  mothers  once,  Huggins,  and  we 
must  feel  for  other  poor  mothers.     You  can  make 


134  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

this  harmless  creature  as  happy  as  a  bird  by  reading 
that  letter  to  her  and  promising  her  a  trip  at 
Christmas  to  see  the  boy." 

"  I'm  afeard  she'd  get  uneasy,"  j-eplied  Dave. 

"  She'll  surely  be  uneasy  now.  I  find  the  best 
way  to  keep  my  people  easy  and  to  get  work  out  of 
them,  is  to  make  them  as  happy  as  I  can.  And  I've 
always  thought  that  was  your  plan  too,  for  I  never 
heard  a  complaint  of  ill  .treatment  or  hard  fare 
here,"  said  the  gentleman. 

"  If  I  may  make  so  bold,  Colonel,"  said  Dave,  "  I 
don't  like  that  powerful  great  fellow  of  yours  com- 
ing round  here.  I  mought  as  well  own  up  that 
'twas  'bout  him  that  we  had  the  quarrel  last  night. 
He's  been  round  here  a  beatin'  religion  into  my 
folks  like  he  thought  they  -s^s  heathen ;  and  has 
got  round  this  woman  by  a  promisin'  to  pray  for 
her  boy,  that  he  mought  turn  up  some'er's.  Next 
thing  he'll  put  her  up  to  runnin'  off,  too,"  said 
Dave. 

'^  No  he  won't,"  answered  the  gentleman ;  "  he 
promised  his  mother  when  a  boy  that  he'd  never 
steal  himself,  and  I'd  take  his  word  as  quick  as  I 
would  Judge  Bacon's.  If  he  wanted  to  run  he 
could  -do  it  any  day,  for  I  don't  own  him  and 
shouldn't  spend  my  time  hunting  him."  The 
Colonel  smiled,  and  added,  "  I'll  send  him  over 


GREAT   EVENTS.  135 

tomorrow,  and  if  you  want  any  saddles  or  harness 
mended  you  may  call  on  him.  There  isn't  much 
he  can't  do.  And  now,  IJefore  we  go,  let  me  beg 
you  to  tell  this  woman  about  her  child,  and  to 
answer  the  letter  for  her." 

"  I  ain't  much  of  a  writer,"  said  Dave,  by  way 
of  excuse,  "  and  our  ink  is  so  dried  up  and  our  pen 
so  rusty  that  I  had  a  mighty  job  to  sign  Capt. 
Carr's  receipts  for  the  wood  last  week." 

"  I  think  it's  always  best  for  us  rough  men," 
said  the  Colonel,  "  to  pass  this  '  ^^'Dman  and  baby- 
business  '  over  to  the  ladies.  My  wife's  quite  good 
at  keeping  up  correspondence  for  her  people,  and 
if  you  like,  she'll  write  to  the  little  boy's  mistress 
for  your  wife." 

"  That  suits  my  mind,  now,  Colonel,"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins.  "  I  was  never  in  favor  of  hidin'  up  the 
letter.  Xow,  Huggins,  you  give  it  to  madam,  and 
she'll  write  and  get  a  letter  back;  and  that'll 
make  my  little  woman  mighty  happy,"  she  added 
kindly. 

Dave  began  to  feel  in  his  almost  unfathomable 
pocket.  He  brought  out  treasures  by  the  handful ; 
lumps  of  tobacco,  chalk,  nails,  twine,  buttons,  sus- 
pender-buckles, jack-knife,  gimlet  and  screw-driver. 
He  coolly  remarked,  as  he  poured  them  out  on  the 
table,  "  If  a  man  don't  carry  about  his  things  with 


136  '    OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

him  lie  never  has  'em  when  he  wants  'em.  Well, 
that  letter  aint  here!"  and  to  prove  it  he  turned 
his  })Ocket  inside  out.  '^  I  must  'a'  lit  my  pipe 
with  it." 

The  letter  was  gone  ;  and  as  a  last  hope  of  get- 
ting a  clew  to  the  boy,  Madam  Leon  took  the  name 
of  Degrow's  overseer,  and  promised  Mrs.  Huggins, 
who  really  seemed  interested  in  the  matter,  to 
write  to  him  for  the  gentleman's  address. 

She  wrote,  and  the  reply  was,  "  The  gentleman's 
name  was  either  Jones,  or  Smith,  or  Hill,  or  Hall, 
or  some  such  short  name ;  but  the  town  and  county 
I've  quite  forgot."  And  again  oblivion  closed  over 
the  hopes  of  the  poor  lonely  Weza. 

After  this,  the  dullness  of  Weza's  life  on  that 
plantation  was  broken  only  by  an  occasional  chat 
with  a  passing  slave  or  a  long  tramp  to  quarterly 
meeting.  All  intercourse  with  the  Colonel's  ser- 
vants had  been  forbidden,  and  the  acquaintance 
with  Zack  broken  up  by  Huggins'  repeated  threat 
of  selling  her.  He  had  either  a  terrible  dislike  or 
an  unconquerable  fear  of  the  fellow,  and  after  he 
got  his  gun  back,  sent  word  to  "  Massa  Leon  "  to 
keep  him  at  home,  or  he'd  have  him  shut  up  for 
trespassing.  Now  and  then,  after  Zack  had  been 
to  "  the  river "  transacting  business,  the  little 
woman  would  receive  through  Obed,  a  gay  turban, 


GREAT   EVENTS.  137 

a  pair  of  shoes,  or  a  big  sugar  heart  covered  with 
silver  spangles  ;  but  she  had  to  hide  the  delicate 
love-tokens,  and  so  could  not  enjoy  displaying 
them  even  in  her  own  narrow  circle. 

One  morning,  to  her  amazement,  she  saw^  the 
offensive  visitor  walk  up  very  boldly  towards  the 
house  and  tap  at  the  door.  Huggins  himself 
opened  it,  when  Zack  stepped  in.  Taking  off  his 
hat,  he  politely  asked  Mrs.  Huggi-ns,  who  sat 
smoking  in  her  *'  cheer,"  "  Mought  yer  little  brown 
woman  and  de  men  go  to  de  camp-meetin'  seven 
miles  off,  wid  Massa  Leon's  people  ?  Mammy  Cleo 
and  heaps  more  of  our  way  o'  thinkin',  dat  has  no 
preachin'  'bout  dese  parts,  is  goin'  to  have  a  three 
days  preachin'  wid  de  communion  •and  a  baptism, 
like  de  real  Jordan  kind,  in  de  old  grove  on  do 
judge's  plantation.  Massa  Leon's  give  all  his 
people  dat  loves  de  Lord  leave  to  go  up  and  praise 
him  wid  de  heart  and  de  voice.  He  'lows  me  to 
take  de  big  lumber  wagon  and  de  mules  to  drive  de 
women  and  chiFen.  Missus  said  she'd  take  it  as  a 
compelment  if  yer'd  let  Weza  go  one  day,  at  least, 
with  our  women."  ^ 

"  She  may  go,"  said  Mrs., Huggins,  from  tlio 
side  of  the  pipe,  "  for  yer  missus'  sake,  for  I  sha'n't 
soon  forget  the  honor  she  done  me  by  that  visit." 

"  We'll    have    that  party   business   over    agin, 


138  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

then,"  grumbled  Dave,  "  and  all  my  frettin'  and 
scoldin'  will  be  to  do  over  agin  ;  for  company  a 
runnin'  I  won't  have." 

"  Tell  yer  missus  my  woman  may  go,  but  I  can't 
say  about  the  boys ;  that'll  be  as  their  master 
says,"  remarked  Mrs.  Huggins,  as  if  she  had  not 
heard  her  husband's  objections. 

"  Yer  don't  know  what  yer  believe,"  said  Dave 
to  Zack.  "^he  'ligion  that  gets  up  the  biggest 
noise  is  the  'ligion  for  yer." 

"  Massa  Huggins,  I  knows  what  I  b'lieves  and 
why  I  b'lieves  it,"  replied  the  man. 

"  Well,  then,  let  me  hear  yer  say  yer  creed," 
said  Dave. 

"-  Haint  got  ifo  creed,  massa." 

"  Haint  got  no  creed  ?  Then  how  on  arth  do 
yer  know  what  to  believe  ?  "  asked  Dave. 

"  I  believe  just  what  de  Lord  said,  no  more,  no 
less  ;  and  I's  bound  to  follow  whar  he  leads,  if  it  be 
through  fire  and  flood,"  replied  Zack  boldly. 

"  But  yer  haint  got  larnin'  like  a  parson,  to 
know  what  the  Bible  means,"  said  Dave,  warming 
up  with  the  spirit  of  controversy. 

"  Massa,"  replied  ^ack,  "  my  Lord  tells  me  dat 
liis  orders  is  so  plain  dat  a  wayfarin'  man,  do' 
a  fool,  can't  miss  'em.  I  s'pose  I'm  a  '  wayfarin' 
man,'  though  I  don't  profess  to  be  a  fool.     I  tell 


GREAT  EVENTS.  1^9 


yer  what  I  told  my  dear  missus  last  Sunday  night ; 
dere's  more  danger  of  folks  losin'  heaven  through 
laniin'  den  through'  ignorance.  De  wise  of  dis 
world  gets  so  sot  up  by  dere  larnin'  dat  dey  thinks 
dey's.  got  ahead  of  de  Master  hisself.  Yer  don't 
ketch  dem  ^vise  ones  when  dey's  sick  goin'  to  Jor- 
dan to  wash  and  be  clean.  No,  no.  Dey  has 
rivers  of  dere  own  dat's  better  den  his  Jordan  ;  so 
dey  turns  dere  back  on  him  and  sets  up  on  dere 
own  hook  ;  and  fine  work  dey  makes  on't,  too." 

"  Then  yer  go  agin  larnin'  as  well  as  creeds  in 
yer  'Ugion,  ha  ?  "  asked  Dave,  now  a  champion  for 
theological  education. 

''No,  sir,  I  only  goes  agin  false  larnin'  dat 
makes  men  wiser  den  God.  Our  brother  Paul  dat 
was  a  great  larned  scholar,  said, '  My  larnin'  has 
not  made  memad,tnost  noble  Festus  ; '  but  dese 
proud  Pharisees  'bout  us  can't 'say  it." 

'^  Well,  well,  Zack,  1  think  there's  'hgions  enough 
in  the  world  now  without  yer  black  folkssettin'  up 
a  new  one,"  said  Dave. 

Zack  laughed  outright.  ''Why,  Massa  Hug- 
gins,"  he  said,  "  My  'Ugion's  de  oldest  Christian 
'hgion  dat  is.  'Tis  de  one  dat  Jesus  and  his 
'postles  sot  up,  and  men's  been  tryin'  and  tryin'  to 
improve  on't  ever  since,  but  dey  can't  make  it  out. 


140  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

It  has  as  many  white  folks  as  blacks  belongin'  to 
it." 

"  Pho  !  "  cried  Dave,  scornfully.  '^  It's  mighty 
likely  if  yer  'ligion  was  as  old  as  that,  that  I 
shouldn't 'a'  come  across  it  some'er's.  I've,  lived 
in  Ken  tuck',  and  Georgy,  and  Alabam',  and  here  ; 
and  every  body  I  knew  was  always  Presbyterians, 
or  Methodis',  or  Church-a-Englanders  —  except 
black  folks  ;  and  do  yer  s'pose  they  know  more'n 
their  owners  'bout  the  Bible  ?  " 

"  Mought  be  they  do,"  replied  Zack'  "  for  dee 
things  is  hid  up  from  de  wise  and  prudent,  and  is 
revealed  to  babes, —  babes  mean  unlarned  folks. 
0,  Massa  Huggins,  if  yer  would  only  come  to  de 
camp-meetin'  yerself  and  missus,  yer  might  get  a 
blessin'  to  yer  own  souls.  Jesus,  de  Master,  will 
sure  be  dere,  and  whoever  comfis  will  have  a  chance 
to  touch  de  hem  o?  his  garment ;  and  dat  touch 
takes  away  sickness,  and  sorrow,  and  sin,  and 
changes  poor  weak  sinners  into  shinin'  saints,  and 
lifts  dem  up  to  a  throne." 

''  S'pose  there  will  be  any  white  folks  there  ?  " 
asked  Dave. 

"  Sartin  !  Missus  herself  is  goin',  and  so  is  her 
niece  Miss  Julia.  Dey  aint  ashamed  of  de  Lord, 
nor  of  de  poor  of  his  flock,"  said  Zack. 

"  We  mought  shut  up  one  day  and  go,  and  that 


GREAT   EVENTS.  141 

would  save  gettiii'  any  thing  to  eat  at  home,"  said 
Mrs.  lluggins.  '•  If  madam  aint  too  proud  to  go, 
we  needn't  be." 

''  No,"  replied  Dave,  somewhat  softened,  "  we 
needn't,  sure  ;  and  then  1  could  see  about  them 
mules  the  old  judge  wants  me  to  buy." 

''  Well,  then,  Zack,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  make 
my  manners  to  yer  missus,  and  tell  her  I'll  let  my 
people  go,  and  come  myself  and  bring  the  massa 
with  me.  Tell  her  I  aint  proud  when  it  comes  to 
'ligion; — though  in  every  thing  else  I  holds  myself 
as  good  as  any  other  white  folks." 

"  Well,  thank  yer  both,"  said  Zack,  who  saw  that 
Dave  was  being  thrust  rather  too  much  in  the  back 
ground  for  "  de  head  of  the  woman,"  "  and  I'll 
come  here  next  week  and  fix  up  all  yer  carts  and 
harness  and  saddles  and  such  like ;  and  dat'll  make 
up  any  time  yer  people  mought  lose." 

"  Hope  yer  don't  think  I  can't  hire'em  mended  ?  " 
said  Dave,  still  watchful  of  his  dignity. 

"  I  knows  yer  can,  but  I  likes  to  do  a  neighborly 
thing  now  and  den,"  said  Zack  with  a  smile. 

The,  vision  of  a  "  gineral  clearin'  up  "  completely 
overcame  Dave's  prejudice,  and  he  was  quite  genial. 
This  encouraged  Zack  to  go  a  step  further. 

''  Den,  sir,"  he  said,  making  a  low  bow,  "  I's  got 
another  message    from  missus.     I's  made  up   my 


142  OUT   OF   THE    WILDERNESS. 

mind  for  to  have  a  wife.  De  great  Master,  who 
manage  all  dese  things  for  his  chiFen  'peared  to 
yer  little  brown  woman  in  a\dsion-like,  and  showed 
her  me, —  a  great  ugly  black  fellow  dat  she  was 
'feard  on.  But  he  said,  '  See,  he's  got  a  shepherd's 
crook,  and  hell  help  yer  on  to  glory.'  So,  wid  yer 
leave,  I'll  take  her,  and  do  as  de  great  Massa  say  ; 
and  more,  if  ye  aint  too  proud  to  take  this  black 
hand,  I'll  help  yer  and  Missus  Huggins  on  to  glory 
too,  for  I's  got  de  power  for  de  work  in  my 
soul.     I  feels  it." 

The  sublimity  of  Zack's  assurance  quite  over- 
came Dave,  and  for  a  moment  he  seemed  stunned 
by  this  strange  patronage. 

"  I  thought  this  would  be  a  mighty  nice  time  for 
a  weddin'  'mong  all  de  other  ord'nances  of  de  Gos- 
pel. Missus,  who  has  her  people  married  'cordiu' 
to  de  Gospel  and  not  slave-fashion,  will  give  Weza 
a  mighty  fine  outfittin'." 

"  Massy ! "  cAed  Dave,  who  had  now  collected 
his  senses ;  "  if  I  lets  yer  marry  her,  next  thing 
ye'll  run  off  together  —  yer've  got  a  powerful  long 
rope  for  a  slave." 

"  Dat's  so,"  said  Zack,  laughing  heartily  ;  "  but 
I  haint  no  object  in  rumiin'  off;  and  I'll  risk  dat 
poor  weak  woman  runnin'  off  widout  me.  I's  as 
free  as  I  wants  to  be,  and  has  as  many  comforts  as 


GREAT   EVENTS. 


143 


I  coulcl  arn  if  1  lived  in  Bosting  or  them  other  free 
j.ltoes.  Here  is  my  hand,  Massa  Muggins,  and 
my  word  as  a  man  dat  fears  de  Lord,  dat  I'll  wait 
till  he  bring  me  out  of  de  wild'ness  wid  a  high 
hand  and  a  mighty  arm,  and  wid  signs  and  won- 
ders like  he  did  de  chil'en  of  Israel." 

"  Somebody'U  marry  her  if  he  don't,"  suggested 
Mrs.  Huggins,  in  aid  of  his  plea ;  "  and  if  they 
live  fur  off  they'll  keep  her  everlastin'  oneasy." 

«  Dat's  so,  missus,"  said  Zack,  "  and  'tween  you 
and  me,  de  judge's  Noah,  dat  drinks  powerful, 
tailed  once  dat  he's  bound  to  have  her.  And 
Ab'm,  dat  robs  yer  hin-roost,  he's  mighty  took  up 
wid  her.  Better  gin  her  to  an  honest  man  dat 
fears  de  Lord  and  will  look  out  arter  yer  interests, 

mcndin'  yer  carts,  and  such  like." 

The  last  motive  was  all-powerful.  "  Thump  yer 
'  cheer,'  missus,"  cried  Dave.  And  in  answer  to 
the  rude  summons  Weza  appeared,  the  picture  of 
terror,  not  knowing  what  she  was  to  be  accused  of 

now. 

"  This  fellow  wants  for  to  marry  yer,  Weza," 
said  Dave,  with  grave  dignity ;  "  and  his  massa 
and  missus  and  yer'n  has  thought  the  matter  all 
over  and  gin  consent  on  conditions  that  yer,  as  a 
Christian"  — this  was  Dave's  unfailing  argument 


144  OUT    OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

— "  promise  mc  that  yer'll  never  run  off  while  I 
own  yer." 

For  five  minutes  in  her  hfe  Weza  was  a  white 
woman.  Wherever  her  color  went  to,  it  was 
gone ;  and  her  agitation  alarmed  Mrs.  Huggins  so 
that  she  laid  down  her  pipe,  rose  from  her  "  cheer  " 
and  brought  her  a  mug  of  water.  "  Poor  thing," 
she  said  kindly,  "  I'm  sorry  for  yer.  Ye  clar  woke 
up  a  frettin'  arter  them  boys." 

Poor  Weza  soon  got  breath  to  make  the  promise, 
and  to  say  that  now  she  should  have  some  one  to 
help  her  bear  her  "  worry,"  and  that  she  had  taken 
one  step  towards  getting  "  out  of  the  wilderness  " 
in  the  Canaan. 

And  the  happy  pair  withdrew  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  the  camp-meeting  wedding  and  to  thank 
the  Lord  for  his  help  ;  and  leaving  Dave  to  grumble 
out  his  forebodings,  and  Mrs.  Huggins  to  defend 
them  and  to  prophesy  good  from  the  sudden  event. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   CAMP-MEETING   WEDDING. 

OUR  happy  girls  may  talk  of  silks,  and  lace,  and 
jewels,  and  wedding  rings,  and  bridal  presents, 
and  receptions,  and  of  splendid  outfits  in  general, 
but  they  can  have  little  idea  of  the  joy  which  filled 
the  lieart  of  our  poor,  lonely  Weza  on  the  morning 
of  the  camj>meeting,  and  of  the  day  on  which 
"  de  dear,  good  Lord  was  to  give  her  de  best  man 
he  ever  founded  to  lean  agin." 

The  night  before  the  wedding  day  the  tender- 
lieartcd  Madam  Leon  had  sent  a  little  trunk  over  to 
the  mansion  house  on  Zack's  shoulders.  It  con- 
tained a  turkey-red  dress  and  a  fancy  turban,  with 
a  shawl,  a  white  ai>ron  and  new  shoes  for  the  out- 
fit,—  a  complete  supply  of  comfortable  working 
clothes, —  thus  making  the  little  creature  happy  for 
the  time.  It  was  wisely  sent  to  "missus"  for 
Weza ;  and  she  took  the  compliment  straight  home 
to  her  own  heart,  and  then  formally  presented  the 
gifts. 

146 


146  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS.    . 

r 

That  blessed  sun  rose  at  length,  and  tlie  bride 
elect,  having  given  niassa  and  missus  their  break- 
fast and  prepared  their  dinner,  that  tlie  latter  need 
not  rise  from  her  "  cheer  "  to  do  it,  was  dressed  in 
her  fiery  array  and  waiting  in  the  door  for  the 
sound  of  wheels.  As  a  mark  of  special  esteem, 
Mrs.  Huggins  had  lent  her  the  jwcket  handker- 
chief, the  parasol  and  the  fan,  all  of  which  fancy 
articles  the  innocent  creature  held  in  her  hands  as 
part  of  her  outfit. 

"  Weza,"  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  in  a  whining  tone, 
"  my  heart  sinks  now  fear  yer'll  leave  me  some 
time  with  that  free  man,  and  then  I  mought  as 
well  die  as  not." 

"  Missus,  I'll  stick  to  yer  for  life  'less  de  good 
Lord  in  massy  sends  me  freedom  ;  and  I'll  love 
yer  while  I  lives  for  lettin'  me  off  dese  days.  And, 
missus  dear,  do  try  to  get  massa  over  to  de  camp- 
ground to-morrow,  and  get  his  soul  saved  as  well  as 
yer  own ;  for,  happy  and  prosperous  and  proud  as 
I  is  dis  day,  dere's  joy  in  'ligion  dat  beats  all  dis." 

''  Hark,  Weza !  I  hears  wheels,"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins  ;  "  I  must  go  to  the  window  to  see  you 
off;  "  this  was  her  sacrifice  in  the  matter. 

A  jovial  company  it  was  that  filled  the  lumber- 
wagon  and  set  up  a  shout  of  welcome  as  Weza 
came  towards  them,  escorted  on  one  side  by  Obed 


THE   CAMP-MEETING   WEDDING.  147 

on  tlic  wliitc  liorse,  and  on  the  other  by  the  stiff- 
kneed  boy  on  foot.  Zack,  who,  perclied  on  a 
liigh  seat,  drove  the  mules,  invited  Weza  to  sit  be- 
side liim,  but  she  dechned,  and  the  women  all  said 
she  musl  "  have  her  own  way  dis  time,  'cause  it 
was  de  last  time  in  de  workl."  When  she  was 
seated  on  the  corn-husks  among  the  others,  :Mam- 
my  Cleo,  who  occupied  a  httle  rocking  chair  to 
ease  the  jarring,  gave  orders  to  "  unkiver  dat  ar 
corn-basket  and  show  Weza  what  missus  and  Miss 
Juley  done  for  her  lionor  and  glory  dis  day." 

The  basket  was  uncovered,  and  there  was  dis- 
played a  most  gorgeously  ornamented  wedding 
cake.  Two  white  sugar  doves  in  most  tender 
proximity,  with  pink  chenille  around  their  necks, 
and  silver  feathers  on  their  wings,  surmounted  it. 
Beneath  this  bride's  cake  was  a  heap  .of  pie,  and 
gingerbread  and  apples,  and  Weza  was  informed 
that  three  other  baskets  were  as  well  filled,  "  for 
missus  meant  to  set  zamples  to  de  barbarous 
planters  'round  'bout  how  dey  ought  to  deal  wid 
dere  people,  like  dey  was  born  of  de  same  blood 
as  dereselves,  and  had  a  right  to  be  married  as 
pure,  and  holy  and  'spectable  as  if  dey  was  free 
and  white." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Zack,  looking  down  from  his 
high  perch,  with  his  ivories  glistening  in  the  sun- 


148  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

liglit,  "  Dat  same  missus  is  a  bright  and  shiniu' 
light  unto  do  Gentiles  ;  and  through  her  dc  thorns 
and  de  nails  is  took  out  of  slavery  on  dat  planta- 
tion as  far  as  dey  can  be  while  de  cuss  lasts 
anywhar.  Now,  friends,  set  up  de  song  of  jubilee, 
and  sing  it  right  smart,  and  bymeby,  wlieu  dis 
business  is  over,  we'll  sing  dc  marriage  song  wid 
de  shout  of  '  Glory  Hallelujah'  onto  it." 

"  Preachin'  Jack,"  whose  deep,  earnest  piety 
had  brought  down  many  a  blessing  on  his  master's 
house,  and  who  had  in  his  simple  way  led  Madam 
Leon  to  the  cross,  had  now  grown  very  old.  His 
abundant,  crispy  hair  was  like  snow  ;  his  form 
tottered  and  his  voice  trembled ;  but  his  hair  was- 
a  crown  of  glory,  and  his  remaining  strength  of 
limb  and  voice  was  still  used,  as  it  had  long 
been,  for  the  glory  of  God.  His  day  of  toil  was 
over,  and  he  was  now  enjoying  such  peace  and 
rest  as  God  giveth  his  beloved  when  the  shadows 
gather  about  them.  His  owner,  in  justice  —  he 
thought  in  generosity  —  had  provided  him  with  a 
little  cabin  to  himself,  and  his  fellow  slaves  felt 
it  an  honor  to  minister  to  his  few  wants.  Before 
the  early  bell  rang  for  labor  old  Jack  always  sat 
in  his  door  with  clasped  hands  ;  and  such  as  could 
do  so,  halted  a  moment  on  their  way  to  the  field, 
and  knelt  on  the  grass  while  he  uttered  a  prayer 


THE   CAMP-MEETING   WEDDING.  149 

for  tliem  and  commended  them  to  the  dear  Lord. 
And  in  the  evening,  when  toil  was  over,  he  held 
"  perpetnal  prayer  m'eetin^  "  in  his  cabin.  Never 
a  night  but  a  score  or  more  of  dusky  forms  were 
gatliered  there  to  hear  of  heaven  and  to  praise 
Him  who  had  opened  its  shining  doors  for  tliem. 
These  little  meetings  were  the  subject  of  sport  to 
the  young  folks  in  their  masters'  families,  and  of 
very  little  account  abroad.  But  among  the  lowly 
group  there  walked  One  unseen  by  their  poor 
vision,  shedding  abroad  his  gifts  of  patience  and 
peace  and  joy  ;  One  whom — had  they  known  him 
and  their  need  of  his  pity  —  the  masters  would 
have  entreated  to  turn  aside  and  abide  with  them. 

It  was  firmly  believed  among  all  the  blacks,  and 
by  not  a  few  of  their  owners,  that  Preachin'  Jack 
had  power  to  bring  Jesus  down  whenever  he  called 
upon  him,  and  many  instances  were  related,  in 
good  faith,  where  dying  men  and  women  had  been 
raised  up  from  the  hour  that  Jack  had  called  on 
the  ^klaster  in  their  behalf. 

He  had,  therefore,  become  a  sort  of  bishop  over 
the  blacks  of  the  region,  and  any  especial  honor 
they  had  to  bestow  was  considered  as  his  just 
due. 

Madam  Leon  felt  a  tender  love  for  the  old  man 
who   had   taught   her  that  wisdom  to   which  tlie 


150  OUT   OF   THE   ^YILDERNES^. 

proud  world  cannot  stoo]).  "  Zack,"  she  said,  on 
the  mornino-  of  the  camp-meeting,  *'  1  want  Father 
Jack  to  marry  you.  There  will  \)C  plenty  of  noisy 
fellows  there  who  will  talk,  and  shout,  and  make 
a  great  show  of  themselves,  and  who  may  seem  to 
you  better  men  for  tlie  ceremony.  But  I  want  you 
to  have  this  old  man's  blessing  as  you  start  anew 
iu  life.  You  may  depend,  Zack,  that  his  prayers 
will  avail  much  in  getting  that  little  woman  out 
of  the  wilderness  she  talks  so  much  about  and  in 
helping  you  both  on  toward  heaven." 

A  "  black  camp-meeting  "  was  a  new  thing,  and 
all  who  had  "  a  gift  "  —  and  many  who  hadii't  — 
had  come  to  talk  and  preach.  But  old  Jack  was 
bishop,  and  when  a  good  number  had  gathered,  he 
called  them  to  order,  saying,  "  I'll  'pint  myself 
moderate  of  dis  meetin'  and  give  out  de  articles  of 
faith  by  which  I  means  to  rule  it.  I  shall  preach 
de  first  sarmon  myself,  and  it  shall  be  Christ  and 
him  crucified.  Den  in  de  evening  I  shall  commit 
de  ceremony  of  marriage  in  de  legul  form  and 
covenant.  Dat  was  de  first  place  whar  a  miracle 
was  performed,  when  water  was  turned  to  wine  ; 
but  we  has  a  greater  miracle  here  —  we  don't 
want  no  wine !  To-morrow  some  other  brother 
may  preach ;  Dave  Montgomery,  if  he  walks 
humble  in  de  mean  time,  and  don't  tip  his  hat  on 


THE   CAMP-MEETING   WEDDINC.  151 

one  side  his  head ;  or  defe  Sam,  if  lie'U  })r(jiiiise 
not  to  preach  hisself  'stead  o'  do  Master,  —  as  he 
usual  does.  But  Joe  Simpson  and  Phil  Hunter  I 
puts  out  of  de  ministry  altogether,  'cause  on  ac- 
count of  dere  stealin'  poultry  from  derc  massas. 
True,  dey  says,  '  Massa  takes  all  my  time  and 
powei-s  and  o^ily  gives  me  what  do  hosses  and 
mules  has,  —  feed.'  True,  brothers  and  sisters  ; 
but  daVs  for  ^ere  masters  to  settle  on  dere  own  ^ count 
wid  de  great  Massa.  We's  de  light  of  de  world, 
and  we's  got  to  set  zamples  o'  holy  livin',  'voidin' 
de  'pearance  of  evil.  De  day  o'  reckonin'  is  a 
comin',  I  sees  it  wid  dese  dim  old  eyes ;  and  dere 
will  be  business  enough  for  de  Judge  'mong  de 
mighty,  de  rich  and  de  larned,  widout  yer  poor, 
ignorant  black  folks  ^takin' up  his  time.  No  man 
shall  preach  to  dis  meetin'  dat  don't  live  up  'ligiou 
in  de  field  and  in  de  kitchen,  as  well  as  in  de  meet- 
in  ;  ajid  no  man  Shall  preach  dat  don't  think  more 
of  Christ  den  he  thinks  of  hisself.  Xow,  chil'en, 
dese  two  days  is  gin  to, God.  and  see  if  yer  can't 
get  hold  of  de  skirts  of  his  garments  by  faith,  so  as 
to  fetch  him  down  to  us.  We'll  know  he's  here, 
for  we'll  smell  de  jnyrrh  and  frankincense  in  his 
robes,  and  we'll  taste  do  honey  from  de  hills  and 
de  grapes  from  Canaan.  We'll  hear  de  music  of 
heaven  when  de  doors  opens  to  let  him  out ;  and 


152  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

we'll  see  de  glory  in  oui-  souls  if  not  round  dis  here 
grove. 

"  Now  sing  of  Calvary.  Oh,  dat's  de  place  dat 
makes  de  heart  ache  and  de  tears  flow.  Sing  of 
de  dark  night  when  our  backslidin'  brothers  fell 
asleep  and  left  Jesus  to  fight  alone  wid  de  powers  o' 
darkness.  I'm  ashamed  of  'em,  and  my  tears  falls 
in  de  dark  night  to  think  of  dere  meanness,  and  I 
can't  hardly  forgive  'em  yet  to  go  desart  my  lovin' 
Master  dat  way  'stead  o'  standin'  shoulder  to 
shoulder  wid  him  agin  de  devil.  But  take  care, 
take  care,  old  Jack,  yer  only  mortal  yerself,  and 
mought  a  done  the  same.  Ye  mought  even  have 
said  wid  Peter, '  I  never  knowed  de  man.'  Thank 
de  Lord,  brothers  and  sisters,  dat  yer  haint  been 
left  to  yer  own  selves  for  salvation,  but  dat  de 
Lord  has  provided  one  mighty  to  save  unto  de 
uttermost  all  dat  calls  on  him.  Lets  us  help  to 
make  up  dat  all." 

"  Now  sing  till  de  rocks  ring  and  de  trees  of 
Labanon  clap  dere  hands  wid  de  swellin'  derepf. 
Sing  up,  as  if  it  was  yer  last  chance  dis  side  o' 
glory  !  "     And  they  did  his  bidding. 

"  De  very  night  He  was  betrayed, 
He  went  a  little  way  and  prayed; 
De  sleepy  'ciples  dey  la}'  down 
To  rest  demselve?  upon  de  ground; 
Chorus.  — I'ii  let  yer  know-  before  I  go, 
Whether  I  love  de  Lord  or  no ! 


THE   CAMP-MEETING    WEDDING.  153 

*'  If  I'd  been  dere  like  lovin'  John, 
I'd  lean  my  head  His  breast  upon; 
Nor  like  old  Peter  broke  my  word, 
Like  if  I  didn't  love  de  Lord.* 

I'll  let  yer  know  before  I  go, 

Whether  I  love  de  Lord  or  no ! 

"  I  loves  Him  wid  my  deepest  soul, 
I  loves  Ilim  part,  I  loves  Him  whole ! 
I  loves  His  prison  and  Flis  grave, 
I  loves  Him  mighty  for  to  save ! 

And  now,  my  brothers,  I've  let  yer  know 

Whether  I  love  de  Lord  or  no ! 

I  love,  I  love,  I  love  Him  so, 

To  glory  now  I  wants  to  go!" 

The  forest  echoed  back  some  twenty  verses  of 
this  hymn,  each  new  one  pledging  the  singers 
more  firmly  to  love  the  Lord,  and  carrying  their 
zeal  up  till  they  were  ready  to  cut  loose  and  soar 
away  from  earth. 

*'  Now,  chiFen,"  cried  Preaching  Jack,  "  I's  goin' 
for  to  preach  to  yer,  and  most  hke  it'll  be  de  last 
sarmon  I  ever  utters,  for  de  bosses  and  de  chariot 
wid  de  hossmen  dereof  is  just  overhead,  and  Fs 
every  day  a  listenin'  for  de  rumble  of  de  wheels. 
My  text  dis  day  is  one  word  Christ.  De  sarmon 
win  have  three  heads  onto  it.  De  first  is  Christ, 
de  second  is  Christ,  and  de  third  is  Christ.  I 
hasn't  heard  nothin',  nor  felt  nothing  nor  loved 
nothin'  for  many  a  year  but  Christ  ;  and  I's  not 


154  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

coming  down  now  to  meaner  things.  lie's  de 
chief  among  ten  thousand  and  do  altogether 
lovely,  and  if  any  of  yer's  got  grand  and  wants  a 
grander  'ligion  yer  can  quit  dis  grove  'fore  I  be- 
gins, for  yer'll  get  nothin'  here  but  de  old,  old 
story,  dat  will  be  talked  and  sung  arter  ; 

'  We've  been  dere  ten  thousand  years, 
Bright  shinin'  as  de  sun.' 

"  Now  I's  ready  for  to  begin  de  story.dat  makes 
de  angels  stare  and  hold  dere  breath  in  wonder ; 
and  mind,  I  don't  'low  no  whisperin'  in  sarmon 
time,"  and  no  bowin',  nor  smilin',  nor  winkin'  to 
each  other;  but  all  to  be  circumspectable  and 
sober  minded,  Uke  dey  knew  whose  presence  dey 
was  in." 

And  old  Jack  preached  ;  and  we  can  say  for  him 
what  can't  be  said  of  all  wise  ministers  of  the 
Word,  he  stuck  to  his  text.  He  brought  forward 
Jesus  in  the  prophets,  Jesus  in  the  manger,  Jesus 
in  the  miracles,  Jesus  persecuted  and  betrayed, 
Jesus  crucified  and  slain,  Jesus  risen  and  alive, 
and  to-day  reigning  in  glory  and  yet  dwelling  in 
the  lowliest  heart.  It  was  a  sermon  which  drew 
tears  from  the  eyes  and  groans  from  the  hearts  of 
liis  humble  hearers.  Xow  and  tlien  one  of  the 
more  excitable  among  them  would  swoon,  causing 


THE   CAMP-MEETING   Wr.DDING.  155 

a  great  tumult.  There  was  leaping,  and  shouting, 
and  shaking  of  hands,  mingled  with  the  singing  of 
impromptu  lines  as  : 

"  When  old. Peter  was  sinkin'  down, 
De  savin'  power  to  him  was  shown ! 
Keep  me  from  sinkin'  down ! 

De  church  was  built  when  de  angels  moaned — 
'Twas  Jesus  layde  comer  stone. 
Keep  me  from  sinkin'  down ! 

O,  what  visions  has  I  seen  — 
Wid  His  blood  He  washed  me  clean; 
Keep  me  from  sinkin'  down! 

De  shinin'  doors  is  open  flung, 
Our  souls  is  into  glory  brung,  — 
We're  safe  from  sinkin'  down ! 

O  glory,  O  glory,  0  glory ! 

We's  got  de  Master's  hand! 
Whoever  sinks,  our  feet  is  fixed 

On  Zion's  mount  to  stand." 

After  the  second  sermon,  the  text  and  heads 
of  which  were  the  same  as  the  first,  there  was  a 
-  great  scattering  of  the  hearers  who  lived  near  by. 
They  hast<3ned  away  to  ask  leave  "  for  to  come 
back  to  de  torchlight  weddin'."  The  intermission 
was  spent  in  singing  and  shouting  and  praying  and 
exhorting.  As  soon  as  the  stars  were  out,  tlio 
Leon  women  spread  their  dainties  on  a  loose  barn 
door  which  the  judge's  people  had  provided,  and 


156  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  all  de  near  'lations"  —  which  meant  every  body 
that  knew  Zack  and  his  fellow  servants,  for  Weza 
was  a  stranger — gathered  around  the  board. 
High  torches  blazed  from  each  corner  of  the  table 
and  from  a  keg  iu  the  centre,  while  the  whole  was 
graced  l)y  gaudy  garden  flowers  and  laden  with 
Madam  Leon's  bounty.  Father  Jack  and  the  other 
preachers  were  to  be  seated  on-  barrels  at  each  end 
of  the  table,  to  "  say  blessin'  and  to  sarve." 

Then  all  the  guests  stood  up  in  a  gi'oup,  and 
Preachin'  Jack,  with  bolh  liands  extended,  said, 
"  Yer  twain  dat  wants  to  be  made  one  flesh  in 
zample  of  de  priests  and  propliets  and  holy  men 
of  old,  and  Sarah  and  Rebekah  and  de  mother 
of  Zebedee's  chiFen  and  de  blessed  mother  Mary, 
stan'  up  afore  me." 

Zack,  dressed  in  coarse  white,  with  a  rainbow 
cravat,  and  Weza,  looking  like  an  animated  holly- 
hock, came  forward  and  stood  before  him ;  while 
their  friends  formed  a  wide  circle  about  them. 

'•  Now,  chil'en,"  said  the  old  man,  "  take  hold 
of  hands,  while  I  pledge  yer  to  mutual  obedience. 
I  will  now  make  a  few  desolatory  and  purile  re- 
marks on  matrimony  in  general,  and  dis  case 
of  it  in  particular."  And  lie  did  so,  beginning  at 
Adam  and  Eve,  and  coming  down  to  the  present 
day   and  hour.     "  All  dem  zamples  of  holy   men 


THE   CAMP-MEETIiNG   WEDDING.  157 

and  women  has  sarvcd  derc  day  and  gincratiou 
and  fell  asleep.  It  is  wid  yer  dat's  alive  and 
awake  dat  I's  got  for  to  deal  now.  Zack  Cameron, 
does  yer  promise  me  here,  afore  de  Lord  and  dis 
yero  heap  of  witnesses,  for  to  love,  honor  and  obey 
do  woman  you  holds  on  to  by  de  riglit  hand? 
Ila  ? " 

"  Yes,  father,  I  does  promise  dat  and  as  mucli 
more  as  yer  pleases  to  ax  me,"  replied  Zack,  hold- 
ing his  head  very  high. 

''  TVill  yer  promise  to  be  de  head  of  her  as  our 
great  Master  is  head  of  de  church  ?     Ha  ?  " 
"  I  will,  to  de  best  of  my  'bihty,  sar." 
''  Will  yer  promise  to  live  wid  her  —  if  ever  yer 
get  a  chance  to  —  and  wid  no  other  woman  till 
death  do  yer  sunderate  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dat  I  will,  and  longer  too,  ^ther,"  replied 

xZack,  "  for  I  hopes  t©  ^ive  wid  ^hiWMmv  rQ^man 

can  s^Darate  us,  in  ^e  house  above,  in   ue  great 

family  of  de  dear-  Lord,  dat  we  both  loves  and 

strives  humble  to  sarve." 

"Well,  dat's  all  very  good,"  replied  the  old 
patriarch,  "but  yer  mustn't  talk  so  much  while 
I'm  a  marryin'  of  yer,  or  I  shan't  get  through 
tonight. 

"  On  t'other  hand,  Louisa  Huggins,  do  yer 
promise  to  take  dis  big  fellow  dat  yer  holds  on  to 


158  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

by  dc  right  hand  for  to  be  yer  lawful  married 
husband  ? " 

Poor  "Weza's  heart  had  wandered  from  the  scene 
where  all  were  gay  and  happy,  and  slie  was  "  off 
in  de  wilderness  "  hunting  np  her  boys  and  accus- 
ing herself  of  giving  her  love  to  another.  She 
burst  into  tears  and  made  no  reply. 

"  Pardon  lier,  father,"  said  Zack,  pitifully,  "  for 
she's  only  a  poor  weak  woman." 

"  Well,  well,"  exclaimed  old  Jack,  "  women's 
mighty  strange  things,  any  way.  Dey'U  comyash 
sea  and  land  for  to  get  a  husband,  and  den  when 
dey  got  him  fast  by  de  hand  afore  de  altar,  dey'll 
bust  out  cryin'  'sif  somebody .  was  marryin'  'em 
off  agin  dere  will !  Come,  wipe  yer  eyes  now,  and 
look  up  bright,  little  woman,  for  wid  such-like  a 
man  for  a  husband  yer  can  look  any  body  in  de 
eye,  and  face  a  frownin'  world.  Leave  de  tears 
and  de  sighs  for.de  women  dat  can't  get  no  hus- 
bands. Else  for  dem  dat's  got  bad  ones  and  can't 
get  rid  on  'em.  I  can  tell  yer  dere's  heaps  o' 
women  here  dat  would  clap  dere  hands  and  laugh 
if  dey  could  be  a  standin'  whar  yer  is  now.  But 
de  dear  Lord,  dat  'flicted  yer  wid  one  hand,  has 
blessed  yer  widde  other,  and  saved  dis  noble  great 
sarvint  of  his  to  fill  a  place  better  den  sons  and 
darters  to  yer.     Now  tell  me  if  yer  will  take  dis 


THE   CAMP-MEETING   WEDDING.  159 

man  for  yer  lawful  married  Inisljand?  'Case  if 
ycr  don't  want  him,  I'll  stop  short  here ;  for  it 
takes  two  to  make  a  bargain." 

"  I  will,  sar,"  sobbed  AVeza,  ''  wid  all  my  heart, 
and  I  thanks  de  Lord  for  do  chance.  Dese  tears  is 
'bout  my  boys  dat's  off  som'eres  in  de  wild'ncss 
whar  I  can't  get  'em." 

"  God  bless  yer  poor  heart !  He  owns  de  wild'- 
ness  and  de  waste  places,  and  has  an  eye  on  all 
dat's  gropin'  'bout  in  'em.  He's  got  dem  boys  by 
de  hand  —  a  leadin'  of  'em  round,  and-1)ymcby, 
when  he's  ready,  he'll  fetch  'em  to  yer.  But  yer 
look  out  how  yer  fight  agin  him  or  he'll  lead  yer 
about  forty  years,  like  de  chil'en  of  Israel,  afore  he 
gives  yer  de  blessin'.  But  I've  wandered  from  my 
subject.  Will  yer  promise  to  love,  iTOnor,  and  obey 
dis  man,  and  to  live  wid  him  as  de  laws  directs, 
and  wid  no  other  man,  till  death  do  yer  sun- 
derate  ? " 

"  I  will,  sar,  and  thank  do  Lord  for  givin'  me 
such  a  strong  arm  to  lean  agiu  in  my  weakness," 
said  Weza. 

'^  Dat's  good,  den,  so  fur,"  said  preaching  Jack ; 
"  and  now,  'fore  I  ])ronounces  de  l)ands,  let  me  ax 
if  either  of  ycr  has  any  remarks  to  make  to  do 
company  ? " 

Weza  shook  her  head,  but  Zack  smiled  and  re- 


160  OUT   OF   THE   AYILDERNES9. 

plied,  "  I  got  nothing  to  say  but  to  raise  my 
Ebenezer,  and  thank  de  good  Lord  for  my  luck, 
and  to  hope  dat  all  de  boys  will  get  as  good  a  wife, 
and  be  as  kind  to  her  as  I  vows  to  be  to  dis  poor 
weak  woman." 

"  Brothers  and  sisters,"  said  old  Jack,  turning 
about  to  the  company,  "  if  any  of  yer  has  a  word 
of  exhortin',  or  would  like  to  tell  yer  experience, 
I'll  halt  a  httle." 

Zack's  quick  eye  caught  Dave  Montgomery  in 
the  act  (5f  beginning,  and  he  cut  him  off  by  saying, 

"  Moughtn't  yer  better  say  the  benediction  first, 
father,  and  have  a  prayer-mectin'  arterwards  ? 
Desc  people  all  looks  hungry  to  get  hold  on  de 
weddin'  supper." 

''  Dat's  trur,"  replied  the  old  man.  "  Den  in 
virtu  of  dese  mutual  promises  to  love,  honor  and 
obey  each  other  and  de  laws  of  de  land  —  when 
yer  massas  will  'low  yer  to  —  I  declare  yer  upon 
heaven  and  arth,  and  all  desc  witnesses,  for  to  be 
husband  and  wife.  And  de  Gospel  do  saith, 
'  Wliat  God  jines  together  let  no  man  put  assun- 
der ; '  and  I  adds,  of  my  own  wisdom,  '  dat  he  dat 
does  put  assunder  will  have  to  answer  for  it.' 
Now,  friends,  de  marryin'  is  over,  and  yer  may  all 
kiss  de  bride,  arter  I,  yer  father  in  de  gospel,  sa- 
lutes her  with  a  holy  kiss." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

PREACHING   JACK   AND   SCPJPTUR'   BILL. 

¥HEX  the  marriage  ceremony  was  over  and 
the  barque  matrimonial  was  fairly  launched, 
old  Jack  said,  by  way  of  an  additional  blessing  on 
the  happy  pair,  ''  And  now  .chil'en,  go  forth  and 
take  yer  place  'mong  de  nations  of  de  'arth,  and 
may  de  blessin'  of  Moses  in  de  bush  rest  upon 
yer  dis  time,  henceforred  and  forever  more." 

There  were  many  little  parties  gathered  in  the 
grove,  each  of  the  number  having  its  own  caterer  ; 
and  we  very  much  fear  tliat  the  hen-roost  and  lar- 
der of  many  a  master  paid  tribute  to  the  feast. 
Fires  blazed  and  torches  glared ;  the  men  plucked 
and  dissected  the  chickens  —  showing  the  haste  and 
secrecy  which  they  had  brought  them — and  the 
women  put  on  their  pots  and  cut  bread  and  cake, 
and  bacon  to  fry.  It  looked  like  the  witch  scene 
in  Macbeth. 

But  their  merry  laughter  and  cheerful  chattering 

IGl 


1G2  OUT   OF   THE   \MLDEIINESS. 

dispelled  all  thoughts  of  the  dark  incantations  of 
sorcciy. 

Such  a  feast  was  partaken  of  as  is  rarely  seen  — 
in  stjde  at  least —  and  then,  under  the  command  of 
Preaching  Jack,  the  tables  were  cleared  and  the 
place  made  "  right  decent  for  a  prayer  meetin'," 
*'  None  of  yer  pots  and  kittles  left  standin'  about 
here,  nor  yer  burnt  brands  lyin'  hither  and  yon, 
nor  yer  victuals  left  loose  about  I "  he  cried,  like 
one  having  authority.  "  And  yerselves  must  be 
neat  and  orderly  afore  1  begins.  If  de  President 
of  dese  United  States  was  a  comin'  here  to-night, 
what  flutterin'  dere  would  be  to  clar  up  de  place 
and  to  see  dat  evevy  turban  was  on  straidit,  and 
dat  all  de  aprons  was  clean  !  And  what  is  de 
President,  whose  breath  am  in  his  nostrils,  to  de 
company  dat's  promised  to  be  here  to-night ! 
Don't  never  dare  to  come  careless  into  His  pres- 
ence, chiFen.  If  yer  too  poor  to  'pear  before  him 
wid  jewels,  and  purples,  and  line  linens,  and 
badgers'  skins  —  like  de  temple  of  old  —  yer  never 
too  poor  to  honor  him  wid  neat  dress  and  decent 
places. 

''  Xow  'fore  de  meetin'  begins,  I  have  de  honor 
to  'nounce  'fore  dis  'scmbled  universe,  dat  Scri|> 
tur'  Bill  will  preach  at  ten  o'clock  to-morrow. 
Obed  Huggins,  that's  always  goin'  up  and   down 


PUKACIIING   JACK   AND   SCRIPTUIl'    BILL.         108 

and  to  and  fro  in  dc  arth,  like  our  great  pergcnitor, 
brung  word  —  wlicrcver  he  got  it  —  that  wc  mought 
suspect  Bill  for  de  mornin'  sarvice  I  I  hopes  yer 
will  listen  to  him  wid  reservation  and  respect, 
'cause  he's  a  stranger.  lie  comes  to  misrepresent 
de  Methodis'  posuasion.  Of  course  den  dere's  a 
chance  dat  wid  all  de  truth  he'll  give  us,  he'll  add 
a  little  error  !  When  he  speaks  what  yer  b'lieve, 
ye  may  say  '  Amen  ; '  but  if  lie  gives  utter  to  any 
false  doctrine,  den  keep  still.  Don't  contradic' 
him  on  de  spot,  but  leave  him  in  my  hands  and 
III  settle  him  arter  meetin'  !  " 

'  Scriptur'  Bill '  was  a  noted  man  among  the 
black  Methodists  of  the  region.  He  got  his  name 
from  a  habit  he  had  of  using  Scripture  language 
as  far  as  possible  in  his  common  conversa- 
tion. 

But  much  as  Preachin'  Jack  loved  what  was 
like  Christ  in  the  spirit  and  words  of  his  clerical 
brother,  he  had  somewhat  against  him  —  and 
rarely  did  the  two  meet  without  having  a  theologi- 
cal encounter,  as  well  as  a  smart  brush  about 
minor  matters  ;  but  they  always  parted  in  love,  and 
that  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  all  wiser  religious 
controversalists. 

The  evening  service  was  what  might  be  strictly 
called  an  "  experience  meeting,"  although  we  must 


164  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS.       ' 

admit  that  much  of  the  talking  savored  not  a  htflc 
of  gossip ;  for  in  telhng  their  own  experience  and 
their  feeUngs  afterward,  many  took  occasion  to 
bring  in  what  "  massa,"  or  "  missus,"  or  "  de 
overseer,"  or  some  fellow  servant  had  done,  and 
thus  the  air  was  let  in  among  the  family  secrets  of 
the  neighborhood  generally.  If  at  any  time  bare- 
faced disloyalty  was  expressed,  old  Jack  would 
speak  out,  sometimes  saying,  "  Whist,  dere !  keep 
to  de  question ; "  or  he  would  ask,  "  What  says  dc 
Bible  'bout  bein'  subject  to  de  powers  dat  bees, 
ha  ?  "  or,  "  AVho  give  yer  dis  time  for  to  praise 
and  pray  in  ?  Heaps  of  black  folks  can't  come 
here  ;  yer  dat  can,  use  yer  liberty  well ;  and  leave 
dem  same  powers  '  wid  dere  own  Master  to  stand 
or  fall  down." 

Zack  and  Weza,  as  th^  great  characters  of  the 
day,  had  been  appointed  to  speak;  and  both  told 
of  their  early  life,  their  religious  feelings,  their 
visions  and  their  deliverances  ;  and  in  windhig  up, 
poor  W^eza,  in  a  trembling  voice  asked  "  de  prayers 
of  dis  crowd  dat  de  Lord,  who  had  brung  her  such 
mighty  helper  dis  day,  would  comfort  her  heart  hy 
a  letter  or  a  word  from  one  boy,  at  de  least." 

Old  Jack  began  to  ask  her  questions,  when 
Mammy  Cleo  interrupted  him  by  saying,  '•  Taint 
uo  use  a  pimyin',  brother,  for  dem  boys.     She's  de 


PBEACHIKG    JACK   AND   SCRIPTUR'    BILL.         1G5 

Massa'!. ill  done.     Once  I  lost  all  n.y  clul  on  by 

„,y  old  massa  a  dyin'  and  .e  be.n'   sold  to  Tom, 

Dick  and  Han-y,  wboover  bad  ---f  ^^"^'7; 

buy  us '     Well,  I  sot  up  my  will,  and  I  thougbt  >t 

Jucbty  bard  I  couldn't  hold  de  reins  of  de  uni- 

ri:  aid  drive:     I  fit,  and  fit,  and  fit !     And  ju^t 

as  long  as  I  fit,  de  great  band  .as  la.d  on  me  to 

keep  L  down.     But  bymeby  I  spent  myself  an 

hadn'tnostrengthlefctofigbtwu.     DenI     1 

down  at  bis  feet  for  dead;  and  I  sa.d,' Lord,  all  I 

basis  dine;  do  as  pleases  dee  wid  my  clul  en 

only  bring  dy  own  glory  out  o'  my  black  cloud 
and  ni  be  satisfied!    What's  me  and  what  s  my 

•  father's  bouse,  dat  I  should  bid  de  Lord  of  heaven 
bow  be  should  deal  wid  us  !     And  after  dat  I  was 

•  so  hungry  and  thirsty  after  de  Lord's  presence 
aid  his  lory  dat  my  chil'en  didn't  seem  to  be 
l-harsf   Anddenlgotwordoftwoda    -s 

.  alive  and  three  dat  was  gone  to  glory  !  And  1 
yer  what  it  is.  Father  Jack,  as  long  as  d,s  httle 
Lman  frets  at  God,  just  so  long  he'll  head  her 

off_husband  or  no  husband.  D.s  brother  Zack 
looks  bke  a  powerful  big  fellow  dat's  of  some  con- 
se,uence;butblessyer,boaintsob.gasd    d.. 

in  de  scales  in  de  eye  of  him  dat  made  h.m       He 
can't  fotch  news  o'  dem  boys  no  n.ore  den  he  can 


166  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 


make  a  world !  She's  got  him,  sure,  but  she's  just 
as  pendent  on  de  Lord  as  she  was  afore  !  S'pose 
yer  jines  in  prayer  dat  she  —  poor  chile — may 
grow  subjected  to  de  will  of  Christ  in  all  things, 
Father  Jack,  and  we'll  say  de  '  aniens '  to  it." 

He  prayed  for  Weza,  a})pealing  to  Him  who  felt 
the  power  of  Mary's  love  and  sorrow,  to  pity  and 
to  bless  her ;  and  such  tender  and  earnest  appeals 
followed  as  quite  lifted  their  poor  subject  above 
her  grief,  and  the  peace  of  God  soon  filled  her 
soul.  "  And  to-morrow,  chil'en,"  said  old  Jack, 
"  some  of  de  white  folks  will  be  here — yer  massas 
and  dere  families,  dat  yer  bound  to  honor,  if  yer 
can ;  —  and  yer  must  let  dem  set  on  de  boards, 
'cause  dey  aint  used  to  squattin'  on  de  ground,  and 
can't  do  it  so  handy  as  yer  can.  And  yer  needn't 
groan  and  howl  for  de  sake  of  makin'  a  show  of 
yerselves,  nor  do  any  thing  else  dat's  savage-like. 
And  mind,  every  thing  yer  do  dat's  foolish  or  'dic- 
alous  will  be  sot  down  agin  de  Master  I  If  yer 
caper  about,  and  hoot,  and  fall  down — when  de 
Spirit  don't  do  it  —  dey'U  say,  '  Dat's  all  dere 
'ligion  does  for  dem  !  It  don't  keep  dem  from 
stealin'  poultry,"  and  here  he  made  a  dead  pause 
and  turned  a  withering  look  on  Joe  Simpson  and 
Phil  Hunter,  the  two  preachers  he  had  "  put  out  of 
de  ministry"  for  the  crime  now  delicately  hinted 


PREACHING    JACK    AND    SCRIPTUU'    BILL.         1()T 

at.  Not  rcflecling  on  tlic  conclusion  to  whicli  the 
audience  would  be  forced  by  tlieir  course,  they 
both  stealthily  caught  up  their  hats  and  made 
their  way  outside  the  lines,  anxious  to  get  out  of 
sight. 

The  people  all  laughed  at  this,  and  old  Jack 
said  solemnly  to  them :  "  Well,  den,  yer  dat  is  clar 
of  all  sin  and  all  onfaithM  dealin'  wid  yer  mas- 
ters, git  right  up  and  fling  stuns  at  'em.  Whose 
chickens  has  I  smelt  a  cookin'  all  day  ?  " 

Many  dropped  their  heads,  but  Zack  rose  and 
said,  "  Father,  I  could  heave  stuns  all  night,  as  far 
as  stealin'  is  consarned,  and  so  could  he'aps  more 
here ;  but  in  de  heart  is  de  seat  of  dis  war  atween 
massas  and  sarvants  ;  and  few  of  us  but  yer  can 
pint  at  and  cry,  '  Dou  art  de  man ! '  " 

On  the  morning  of  the  second  day  there  was  a 
still  greater  gathering.  The  fame  of  "  de  glorious 
times  "  had  been  carried  far  and  wide  ;  and  the 
blacks  from  a  distance,  whether  from  the  East  or 
the  West,  the  North  or  the  South,  when  asked 
how  they  heard  of  it,  replied,  "  Obed  Huggins  telled 
on't !  "  Where  "  the  centaur  "  hadn't  been  —  be- 
side being  present  at  each  meeting  —  was  more 
easily  told  than  where  he  had  I  It  began  to  be 
whispered  among  the  crowd  that  the  liorse  and  his 
rider  had  the  power  of  being  in  many  places  at  the 


168  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

same  time.  Four  men  testified  to  their  being  on 
"  massa's  plantation  just  as  de  sun  was  sinkin' ; " 
and  these  places  were  four  miles  from  the  grove, 
in  different  directions  !  The  report  had  been  per- 
sonified, and  those  who  had  heard  the  message 
believed  tliey  had  seen  the  bearer  of  it. 

The  "  boards  "  were  filled  at  an  early  hour  by 
a  dozen  or  more  white  ladies  and  gentlemen,  most 
of  whom  had  favorite  servants  they  wished. to  grat- 
ify ;  while  a  few,  doubtless,  had  come  hoping  that 
while  the  Master  was  feeding  the  multitude,  they 
might  share  in  the  blessing. 

Madam  Leon  and  Miss  Julia  were  there  as  hum- 
ble and  devout  worshippers ;  the  judge  and  his 
wife  liad  come  "  to  please  old  Jack ; "  a  family  of 
lovely  young  girls  were  among  the  number  be- 
cause their  "  dear  mammy,"  in  whose  care  their 
dying  mother  had  placed  them,  had  plead  with 
tears  that  they  would  come,  "  for  mought  be  Jesus 
.  of  Nazareth  would  pass  by  and  touch  them  !  *'■ 

Huggins  was  wandering  uneasily  about  the 
grove,  making  excuses  to  everybody  he  met  for 
being  there.  Unfortunately  he  did  not  tell  the 
same  story  twice.  He  told  Madam  Leon  he  came 
to  please  lier,  and  Zack,  and  Weza ;  he  told  the 
judge  he  was  forced  to  come  to  watch  that  big 
man  of  Leon's,  that  he  didn't  run  off  with  his  little 


PREACHING    JACK    AND    SCRTPTUR'    BILL.  1G9 

woman ;  while  to  a  few  rongli  companions  he  some- 
tinies  met  at  the  store,  he  said,  "  everybody  was 
gone  oir  his  plantation,  and  there  was  no  work 
doin'  and  notliin'  to  eat,  so  he  and  his  wife  had  set 
off  to  visit  some  folks  at '  Shallow  Bend,'  and  just 
looked  in  here,  to  see  the  sport  as  they  passed !  " 
The  truth  was,  "  missus  "  had  made  him  come  ;  for 
unwilling  as  he  was,  he  hadn't  energy  to  resist 
her  demands. 

Mrs.  Huggins  was  there,  painfully  conscious 
that  her  attire  was  the  same  Madam  Leon  had 
seen  her  liave  on  about  house  and  of  which  she 
had  heard  her  speak  so  scornfully.  Her  bonnet 
was  on  one  side,  bringing  the  few  soiled  and 
mashed  roses,  whose  proper  place  was  on  top  of 
her  head,  directly  over  one  eye ;  and  her  shawl, 
all  ablaze  with  rainbow-hued  flowers  on  a  snuff- 
colored  ground,  was  worn  in  the  easiest  possible 
style,  the  corner  being  on  one  shoulder,  while  one 
end  was  near  her  belt  and  the  other  trailing  on 
the  ground.  She  looked  so  uncomfortable  —  as 
if  not  at  home  among  either  whites  or  blacks  — 
that  the  kind-hearted  Madam  Leon  took  her  under 
her  own  care,  chatting  with  her  before  the  time 
for  service,  and  seating  her  beside  herself  when 
that  hour  arrived. 

Scriptur'  Bill  had  come  early  and  had  been  some 


170  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

time  on  the  ground,  exhorting,  admonishing  and 
rebuking,  before  Preaching  Jack  appeared.  As 
the  old  man  tottered  towards  him  at  length.  Bill 
held  out  his  hand,  exclaiming,  "  Grace,  massy,  and 
peace  be  unto  yer.  Father  Jack,  and  upon  all  de 
Israel  of  God." 

"  Dat's  a  good  prayer,  brother  Bill,"  replied  the 
old  man,  looking  sharply  at  him,  "  but  I  wish  ye'd 
keep  as  close  to  Scriptur'  in  yer  doctrines  and  yer 
dress  as  yer  does  in  yer  words.  Where  does  yer 
find  de  command  for  de  preachers  of  de  Gospel 
to  wear  a  white  cloth  'bout  dere  necks,  ha  ?  " 

"  Dar  aint  no  color  'signed  for  neckcloths,  is 
dere',  father  ?  "  asked  Scriptur'  Bill,  in  a  concilia- 
tory tone. 

"  I  reckons  de  fust  of  de  perfession  hadn't  no 
neckcloths,  no'  how ;  I  reckons  our  brother  Peter 
didn't  pay  much  'tention  to  de  clerical  riggins 
when  he  girt  his  fisher's  coat  about  him.     Ha  ? 

"  I  reckons  de  brethren  hadn't  no  white  cravats 
when  dey  was  a  mendin'  de  nets  afore  dat  power- 
ful haul  of  fishes  ;  and  I  reckons  de  dear  Massa 
hadn't  no  sich  like  gear  'bout  him  when  he  girded 
his  blessed  self  with  a  towel  and  washed  de  'ciples' 
feet.  No,  no,  no.  When  de  cruel  Jews  parted  his 
raiment,  dere  was  no  sich  nonsense  'mong  it  as 
dat,  Bill." 


PREACHING   JACK   AND   SCRIPTUR'   BILL.         171 

"  De  times  and  seasons  were  different  den, 
brother,"  said  Scriptur'  Bill,  apologetically. 

"  Pho !  "  cried  old  Jack.  "  Men  was  sinners 
den  like  dey  be  now  ;  and  de  Lord's  sarvants  was 
bound  to  be  humble  and  set  a  zample  to  de  flock 
den  as  dey  be  now,  and  no  more.  May  be  Judas 
'Cariot,  dat  was  a  time-sarver,  always  a  try  in'  for 
to  please  de  grand  folks,  wore  a  white  cravat,*  and 
de  fashion  come  down  from  him.  But  de  night  he 
betrayed  our  dear  Jesus  I  reckons  he  pulled  it  off; 
for  he  didn't  boast  den  —  as  I've  heerd  o'  yer  doin' 
—  dat  he  was  a  clargyman." 

"  If  eatin'  meat  makes  my  brother  to  'fend," 
replied  poor  Bill,  meekly,  ''  I'll  wear  no  more  white 
cravats  while  de  world  stand." 

''  Now  dat's  like  a  Christian,"  replied  old  Jack. 
"  If  ye'll  pull  down  dat  sail  o'  pride,  ye'll  cripple 
Satan  in  de  right  hand.  Ye  see,  while  dere  aint 
no  more  sin  in  white  den  dere  is  in  black,  a  wear- 
in'  dat  thing  is  a  follerin'  dem  dat's  sot  up  rules 
and  fashions  dat  ain't  in  Scriptur'.  De  nex'  thing, 
ye'll  want  a  gown,  like  dat  man  preaches  to  de 
Court  House ;  and  de  nex',  may  be  ye'll  want  to 
shave  de  top  of  yer  head  like  a  popist  monk,  or 
wear  a  coat  down  to  yer  heels  like  a  priest.  Ah, 
Bill,  Bill  I  I  believe  yer  born  agin  and  dat  yer'll 
reach  glory  yit ;  but  yer've  got  a  weakness.  Bill. 


172    _  OUT   OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

Yer've  got  a  notion  that  yer  can  improve  on  de 
Lord's  plan.  No,  no,  no.  He,  de  Lord  of  heaven 
and  arth,  come  meek  and  lowly,  a  workin'  wid  his 
hands  and  ridin'  on  an  ass.  He  pick  out  poor 
fishermen  for  to  be  his  company  and  to  preach  his 
gospel,  and  he  go  homeless  and  hungry;  and  when 
de  end  come,  he  lay  down  in  a  borrowed  grave. 
But  bless  ye,  dem  dat  comes  arter  him,  and  bears 
his  name,  and  call  theirselves  his  sarvants,  is  so 
grand  dat  should  he  come  back  like  he  did  afore, 
dey  wouldn't  speak  to  him.  Do  you  'spect  if  he 
should  come  back  here  wid  his  feet  all  dusty  from 
de  journey,  dat  grand  clargymen  would  ax  him 
into  their  pulpits  to  sit  down  aside  o'  dem  ?  I 
reckons  not.  Dey  would  turn  de  cold  shoulder  on 
him,  and  den  he  would  say,  'I'll  go  to  de  lost 
sheep  of  de  house  of  Israel,'  and  turn  right  in 
here  to  dis  camp  —  he  would." 

Before  Scriptur'  Bill  mounted  the  platform  the 
white  cravat  had  vanished. 

After  singing  a  most  spirited  hymn,  Bill  rose  up 
and  said,  "Dear  beloved  and  longed  for, — I's 
very  happy  to  stan'  up  dis  day  and  speak  unto  yer 
de  words  of  truth  and  sobe'ness.  I  shall  give  yer 
no  'laborate  'scource,  but  throw  a  few  hints  at  yer 
that  yer  can  carry  home  and  work  up  ;  and  den  I 
shall  improve  de  subject  by  an  'count  of  de  death 


PREACHING   JACK   AND  SCKIPTUR'   BILL.         1T3 

and  luncal  of  Aunt  Zena,  dat  yer  all  knowed  Ibv 
a  mother  in  Israel.  Do  last  words  she  said  to  me 
was, '  Next  time  yer  preach,  Bill,  magnify  de  grace 
of  de  Lord  by  showin'  how  easy  he  led  mo  through 
dc  dark  river  and  let  me  into  glory.'  And  I'll  do 
it  at  de  close  of  dis  yere  exordium. 

"  My  tex'  is  in  '  Ax'  - '  Ax  of  de  'postles.'  D.s 
book  is  called  'Ax'  becase  de  words  in  it  cut  so 
deep  into  de  hearts  of  de  Scribes  and  de  Pharisees 
and  de  Rulers.  Don't  yer  know  it  says,  '  Pey  was 
cut  to  de  heart,  pierced  to  de  heart,'  &c.  ? 

"Dese  wicked  men  hardened  dere  hearts  like 
de  never  milestone;  but  de  Gospel  'Ax'  cut  into 
'em.  Dey  made  chains  and  stocks  for  de  feet  and 
de  hands  of  de  Lord's  holy  ones;  but  de  'ax' 
severated  'em.  'Nias  and  'Sophira,  dey  built  up  a 
bi<.  lie,  and  thought  dey  was  to  get  great  glory 
from  it ;  but  dis  '  ax  '  of  truth  cut  through  it,  and 
slew  dem  too.  Our  dearly  beloved  brother  Paul, 
while  be  was  Saul  of  Tarshish,  was  struck  down 
wid  an  ax  in  de  form  of  a  voice  ;  and  dat  laid  his 
pride  low  and  made  him  a  humble  child  Uke  de 

rest  of  us. 

"Brother  Peter,  he  sot  up  his  pride,  and  lie 
wa'u'tgoin'  to  eat  any  thin'  but  what  he  thought 
best.  But  he  fell  asleep  —  into  a  vision-like  —  and 
dis  '  ax '  fell  on  him,  and  his  pride  was  cut  in  two, 


174  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

and  he  was  glad  ai-ter  that  to  eat  any  tiling  he 
could  get  hold  on  honestly.  After  dis  de  Jews 
bound  demselves  by  an  oath  dat  dey  wouldn't  eat 
or  drink  till  dey  fust  killed  our  brother  Paul.  De 
*  ax '  of  Providence  cut  dat  oath  in  two,  and  dey 
ate  and  drank  as  long  as  dey  lived. 

"  Dis  '  ax '  has  two  edges  ;  one  is  de  edge  of  ven- 
geance, and  dafc  slays  de  King's  enemies  ;  de  other 
Oder  is  de  edge  of  Providence,  and  dat  cuts  de  soul 
of  de  believer  free  from  every  thin'  but  Christ.  It 
cuts  every  chain  and  link,  and  even  a  string  dat 
binds  us  to  dis  world ;  for  Jesus  says  we  shall 
have  nothin'  dat's  dearer  to  our  souls  den  he  is." 

And  so  the  preacher  went  on  for  an  hour  and  a 
half,  giving  examples  from  the 'days  of  the  Egy[> 
tian  bondage  to  the  present  time,  of  the  wonderful 
blows  given  by  this  '  ax.'  His  rhetoric  was  of  the 
rudest  style,  and  his  figures  were  often  sadly  con- 
fused ;  but  tliis  did  not  offend  the  taste  nor  outrage 
the  sense  of  his  humble  hearer^  And  intermin- 
gled with  all  that  was  offensive  to  the  mora  re- 
fined in  his  audience,  there  was  an  ingenuity  that 
amused  them  as  well  as  a  fervor  that  subdued  all 
criticism.  Bill,  however,  did  not  soar  on  one  of 
his  wildest  flights  that  day,  being  evidently  under 
some  restraint  from  the  presence  of  Preaching 
Jack,  who  was  always  watching  for  heresy.     Ar- 


PllEACHING    JACK    AND   SCRIPTUR'    BILL.         175 

miniaiiism  being  the  old  man's  horror,  be  felt  it 
his  duty  to  be  ahvaj-s  on  the  alert  lest  it  might 
creep  in  among  his  flock  unawares. 

On  the  outskirts  of  the  little  .<2;rove  there  were 
now  quite  a  number  of  white  men  come  as  spies  or 
scoffers ;  and  it  occurred  to  Bill  that  he  might 
catch  them  by  a  little  holy  guile.  So  lie  said, 
"  Father  Jack,  wid  yer  leave,  I  would  oppose  dat  we 
hold  a  debatin'  s'iety  as  de  afternoon  sarvice,  and 
let  all  men  of  one  blood,  of  all  de  nations,  give  dere 
'pinion  'bout  'ligion,  and  how  dey  'spects  to  get  to 
heaven.  '  Let  dere  be  light,'  says  de  gospel,  and 
if  anybody  here  has  'fetched  a  brighter  torch  dan 
mine  to  light  up  de  valley  and  de  shadow,  dere 
will  be  liberty  for  him  to  hold  it  up.  Infidels,  Ma- 
hom'dons,  Jews,  Gentiles,  Hotctots,  Arabs,  Meth- 
odises and  Baptises  will  all  be  on  equal  footin'. 
Den  wlien  de  'scussion  is  over  well  vote  which  has 
got  de  l^est  of  de  argument ;  and  de  majority  shall 
rule,  as  is  '  done  in  decency  and  order '  in  all  'pub- 
lican governments  on  de  arth." 

''-  Whist,  there,  Bill !  "  cried  the  old  man.  "  Do 
yer  mean  to  say  dat  if  dcm  outsiders  dat  never  see 
de  Lord  shall  outnumber  us,  dat  we's  goin'  to  give 
in  to  de  devil  ?  No,  no  1  dere's  no  majority  work 
in  dis  business.  If  all's  on  de  devil's  side  l)ut  only 
old  Jack,  he'll  stand  up  like  a  rock  for  liis  beloved 


176  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

Massa  Jesus,  and  saj,  '  Do'  all  men  forsake  dee,  yet 
will  I  never  forsake  dec'  I  'proves  of  de  'batin' 
s'iety,  but  no  majority  shall  draw  me  'way  from 
him  my  soul  love.  De  bigger  de  'jority  agin  him, 
de  harder  I'll  try  to  bring  dem  over  to  de  minority." 


CHAPTER    XIY. 

LAST   WORK   OF   PREACHING   JACK. 

SCRIPTUR'  Bill's  "batin'  s'icty"  proved  one  of 
the  most  amicable  discussions  that  ever  graced 
the  annals  of  controversy  —  the  combatants  being 
all  on  one  side.  They  could  not  lind  a  man  to 
oppose  the  great  truths  of  revelation,  th6  few 
whites  who  scoffed  at  them  being  too  ignorant  to 
give  any  reason  for  their  unbelief.  This  was  a 
source  of  some  disappointment  to  Bill,  for  having 
suggested  the  debate  he  felt  a  little  pride  in  seeing 
it  go  warmly  on.  He  could  not  help  showing  a 
little  chagrin  at  the  one-sided  nature  of  the  move- 
ment. 

'  "Well,  friends,"  he  said,  "if  I  believed  every 
man  on  dis  yere  ground  was  heart,  body  and  soul 
on  de  Lord's  side,  I'd  shout  for  joy  till  I  made  de 
anthems  ring  wid  de  arches  dereof.  But  I  knows 
better  ;  and  so  I  wants  every  man  for  to  show  his 
colors  and  give  a  reason  of  de  hopes  dat's  in  him. 

177 


178  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

I'm  a  Christian,  born  agin,  a  new  creatur',  old 
things  passed  away.  I  knows  dat  I's  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  'case  I  loves  de  brethren.  And  I 
ain't  ashamed  on't.  I  glories  in-de  fact.  I  talks 
'bout  my  big  hope  by  de  daylight,  and  dreams 
'bout  it  when  I's  sleep,  and  many's  de  time  I 
rouses  at  midnight,  and  leaves  my  bed  and  goes 
out  under  de  stars,  and  looks  up  to  God  wid  my 
soul  so  full  of  de  glories  of  'dcmi)tion  for  lost  man 
dat  I  can't  speak,  but  only  let  de  tears  of  love  run 
from  my  eyes.  Dat's  de  way  I  feels  'bout  my 
hope,  and  I  persumes  dat  skeptacle  folks  feels  just 
so  'bout  dere  hope,  and  if  dey  does,  let  'em  boast 
on't.  Massa  Huggins,  if  T  mought  make  so  bold, 
I'd  ax  yer  to  say  a  few  words  'bout  yer  principles. 
It's  told  dat  yer  a  skeptacle,  and  so  fur  in  life  I 
never  heerd  one  of  that  persuasion  tell  his  'spe- 
rieuce." 

Dave  was  not  an  orator,  and  whatever  weak- 
nesses he  had,  heapng  himself  talk  in  public  was 
not  one  of  them.  He  wae  sitting  on  a  stump 
quite  near  Scriptur'  Bill  when  the  gauntlet  was 
thrown  down  at  his  feet ;  and  he  was  so  startled  by 
it  that  he  sprung  up  as  if  by  a  shock  of  galvanism, 
and  turned  his  back  on  the  speaker,  growling  out 
a  few  words  nobody  could  hear. 

Then  Father  Jack  came  forward  and  addressed 


LAST   WORK   OF   PUEACIIIXG    JACK.  179 

liim,  saying,  "  Please,  inassa,  tell  dis  poor  crowd 
it'  dorc  is  any  more  joy  in  denyin'  de  Lord  of  glory 
den  dere  is  in  leanin'  on  lirs  bosom,  and  washin' 
his  dear  feet  wid  tears,  and  cryin'  •  My  Lord  and 
my  God.' " 

"  I  reckons,"  replied  Dave,  snrlily,  "  that  I  haint 
been  a  planter  and  my  own  master  all  these  years 
to  herd  with  black  folks  at  this  late  day.  But  if 
yer  wants  my  'pinion  'bout  'ligion  it's  just  this ; 
that  yer  too  ignorant  to  know  the  meaniu'  o'  the 
word,  and  that  the  white  folks  ought  to  get  to- 
gether and  settle  which  is  the  true  'ligion,  and 
then  make  yer  all  believe  it,  and  quit  this  ere 
noise,  and  stay  to  home  and  work  !  "  —  and  leaving 
his  hearers  aghast  at  such  statements,  he  walked 
otf. 

"  Well,  if  dere's  no  more  to  be  said  agin  de 
Lord,"  said  Bill,  "  s'pose  yer  put  de  vote,  Father 
Jack,  and  see  how  de  case  stands  ?  " 

The  vote  was  put  thus  :  "  All  yer  dat  don't  be- 
lieve man's  got  no  soul,  or  dat  if  dey  has  souls  all 
goes  to  one  place  arter  death,  or  dat  de  Lord  Jesys 
was  only  a  good  man,  and  dat  we's  good  men  too, 
hold  up  yer  hands  agin  de  King  of  Glory.  Yer 
dat  wish  yer'd  been  dere  to  drive  de  nails  and  de 
spear,  and  to  cry,  *  Crucify  him,  crucify*him,'  and 
to  put  vinegar  mingled  wid  gall  to  his  sweet  lips, 


180  OUT   OF   THE   WILDEKNf:SS. 

and  a  parted  his  raiment  —  lookin'  sharp  to  get 
yer  share  on't ;  jer  dat  would  like  to  have  writ 
'  Dis  is  de  King  of  de  Jews,'  over  his  head,  and 
put  de  purple  robe  on  liini,  and  smote  him,  and 
mocked  him,  and  spit  upon  him  —  0,  Lord,  if 
dere  is  one  such  wretch  in  dis  yere  ordance,  have 
mercy  on  his  guilty  soul  I  —  I  says,  if  dere  is  one 
sich  black-hearted  creatnr'  liere,  let  him  hold  up 
his  hand  now  agin  him  dat  loved  us  wid  an  ever- 
lastin'  love,  and  dat  gin  himself  for  us,  and  pur- 
chased us  wid  his  own  blood." 

This  remarkable  way  of  putting  a  motion  had  a 
moving  effect  on  his  excitable  hearers.  They 
wept,  and  groaned,  and  cried  out,  "  No,  no,  dear 
Jesus  I  I'll  die  wid  dee,  yet  I  will  not  deny 
dee !  He  is  de  Lord  !  He  saves  us  from  our  sins  ! 
He's  waitin'  for  us  now  in  glory !  Come,  dear 
Jesus,  and  take  us  home !  We's  right  homesick 
arter  dee !  Put  dy  en'mies  under  dy  feet,  and 
reign  King  over  de  nations  like  as  dou  now  reign 
in  our  souls." 

"  Well,  den,  de  scoflin'  side  of  de  house  hab 
voted  all  dey  will,"  cried  old  Jack,  with  a  smile, 
''  for  dey's  all  clared  out.  Now  yer  dat  will  have 
my  Jesus  for  to  reign  over  yer,  now  and  hereafter, 
up  wid  yer  right  hands." 

Not  only  their  right  hands  went  up.     The  audi- 


LAST   WORK   OF   rREACHIXG   JACK.  181 

ence  sprang  as  if  with  one  tonscnt  to  their  feet, 
talking,  and  hiugliiug-,  and  weeping,  and  shouting, 
and  calling  on  Jesus  by  every  endearing  name  to 
look  into  their  hearts  and  see  if^they  did  not  love 
him  and  long  for  his  glory.  Madam  Leon  and 
Miss  Julia  rose  with  the  rest ;  and  the  judge  and 
his  wife  unconsciously  followed  their  example, 
hardly  realizing  how  far  behind  this  poor  thi'ong 
they  were  in  all  that  goes  to  make  up  the  real  hap- 
piness of  life.  The  judge  always  said  he  felt  safe 
as  long  as  he  could  keep  hold  of  old  Jack  ;  for  he'd 
get  him  into  heaven  by  some  means. 

It  was  several  minutes  before  quiet  was  restored, 
and  then  Jack  said  :  "  Dat  question  is  settled  for 
all  time  in  dis  part  of  de  world  —  even  on  our 
brother  Bill's  s'gestion  —  for  de  'jority  has  ruled 
right  for  once.  Now  go  otf  wid  grateful  hearts 
and  eat  yer  suppers,  and  den,  after  a  short  prayer 
meetin',  we  will  all  dispense  to  our  sevVal  homes 
to  be  more  lo\dn'  to  each  other  and  more  faithful 
to  our  masters  den  ever  before ;  for  de  nearer  we 
gets  to  de  Lord,  de  faithfuller  we'll  be  to  dem  as 
has  de  rule  over  us  in  de  flesh." 

Father  Jack's  "  short  meetin' "  was  lengthened 
out  three  houi's  ;  and  it  was  one  never  to  be  for* 
gotten  in  that  region.  The  Master  manifested 
himself  there  with  great  power,  convincing  of  sin 


182  OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS. 

and  granting  pardon  to  those  who  liad  not  known 
hini  before ;  and  givhig  new  joy  and  fresh  assur- 
ance to  the  poor  pilgrims  who  had  long  been  gro})- 
ing  after  his  guiding  hand  and  following  his  voice 
amid  the  storms  and  the  darkness. 

As  the  moon  rose  high  and  lighted  the  grounds, 
old  Jack  said,  "  Dear  chiFen,  the  time  has  come 
for  us  to  sunderate,  and  I  would  spread  my  hands 
over  yer  and  call  down  de  blessin'  of  him  dat  led 
Israel  through  de  wild'ness,  dat  he  will  go  wid  yer 
and  be  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night  and  a  pillar  of 
cloud  by  day." 

They  all  rose,  and  he  said,  "  Dear  Jesus,  dis  is 
my  family,  my  chiren.  I  has  come  to  de  end  of 
my  days  dat's  been  few  and  evil ;  like  to  our  father 
Jacob,  I  wants  to  bless  dem  before  I  dies.  Blessed 
shall  dey  be  in  de  house,  in  de  field,  by  de  way- 
side, and  every whar.  Blessed  be  dere  chil'en,  and 
may  dey  be  a  seed  to  sarve  dee.  Blessed  be  dere 
massas  in  dere  baskets  and  dere  stores,  in  dere 
houses  and  dere  lands,  in  dere  oxen  and  dere 
asses,  and  in  de  stranger  dat  is  widin  dere  gates. 
To  de  massiful  do  dou  show  massy  ;  and  if  any  is 
onmassiful,  bless  dem  by  forgivin'  and  lovin'  dem. 
And  bless  dis  great  and  wdckcd  nation.  I  sees 
dem  a  standin'  now  on  de  shore  of  a  sea  of  blood. 
De   waves  rolls  up  and  cry  out  for  dere  sons  to 


LAST   WORK   OF   PREACHING    JACK.  183 

swallow  'cm  up.  Tic  holy  ones  is  a  cryiii'  to  God, 
'  Sparc,'  and  a  plcadin'  wid  dee  to  roll  back  de 
waves  of  vengeance.  But  no,  de  'pressors  beckons 
'em  back  and  throws  dere  own  beautiful  sons  into 
dc  sea.  Dey  is  rushin'  madly  on  to  dere  own 
destruction,  but  God  is  mightier  den  dey,  and  he 
will  bring  good  out  of  evil  and  peace  out  of  war, 
and  reign  over  de  whole  arth  in  righteousness. 
Amen  and  amen. 

"  Now,  brother  Bill  and  Luke,  take  me  up  to  de 
mansion  house,  and  not  to  my  cabin.  I's  weak 
and  faint,  and  I's  got  a  word  for  massa  'fore  I 
goes  honie  to  glory.  I  wants^  my  missus  now, 
like  a  sick  child  wants  his  mother." 

The  judge  and  his  wife  received  old  Jack  very 
tenderly,  the  latter  mixing  a  reviving  cordial  for 
him. 

"Don't  you  know,  daddy,"  said  the  judge, 
pleasantly,  "  1  told  you  it  would  take  only  one 
more  cami>-meeting  to  make  an  end  of  you  ;  and 
I'm  afraid  I  spoke  the  truth." 

"  Dat's  so,  Massa  Henry,"  said  the  old  man, 
addressing  him  as  in  the  days  of  his  childhood. 
"  I  knowd  dc  end  was  near,  and  I  wanted  to  go 
up  wid  a  shout ;  and  now  I's  got  my  staff  in  my 
hand,  and  has  come  to  bless  yer  'fore  I  crosses 
over  Jordan.     Send  Luke  and   Jess  away  while  I 


184  OUT   OF   THE   VriLDERXESS. 

tells  yer  and  missus  what  de  Lord  has  showed  me 
in  a  vision  dat's  comin'  on  dis  yere  country,  dat 
yer  may  repent,  and  believe,  and  flee  from  Sodom 
widout  lookin'  back.  Yer've  been  lovin'  and  kind 
to  yer  people,  but  for  all  dat  de  Lord  has  somewhat 
against  yer." 

His  fellow  slaves  quietly  withdrew ;  and  what 
he  said  to  his  "owners"  none  ever  hoard,  lie 
talked  long  to  weeping  listeners,  while  all  others 
in  the  house  were  sleeping.  Then  he  sunk  l)ack 
exhausted  in  the  great .  leathern  chair,  and  said, 
"  De  long  day  breaketh,  1  must  be  gone." 

His  fellow  servants,  being  summoned  to  his  side, 
saw  that  he  was  dying.  It  was  too  late  to  remove 
liim  to  his  own  cabin,  but  the  family  were  not  hor- 
ror-stricken at  the  thought  of  his  dying  where  he 
was.  Little  as  they  themselves  regarded  God  or 
his  claims  on  them,  they  believed  in  their  hearts 
that  old  Jack  was  an  heir  of  glory,  and  that  his 
crown  was  just  above  him  ;  and  they  felt  it  an 
honor  to  serve  him. 

As  his  friends  wept  around  him  at  break  of  day, 
the  old  man  looked  on  them  for  a  moment,  and 
then  said,  as  if  suddenly  waking  from  a  dream, 
"  Weep  not  for  me,  but  weep  for  yerselves  and  yer 
chip  en  ;  for  de  days  of  darkness  cometh,  and  dcy 
shall  be  many.^    De  chariots  of  Israel  and  de  boss- 


LAST  WORK  OP  PREACHING  JACK.      185 

men  dereof,"  —  and  with  these  words  tlic  released 
spirit  soared  away  from  tlie  house  of  bondage,  leav- 
ing a  mantle  of  forgiveness  and  love  upon  those 
who  watched  its  happy  departure. 

In  the  morning  Weza  found  Mrs.  Hugglns 
greatly  subdued  in  spirit,  weeping  while  she  asked 
questions  about  the  prayer-meeting  which  was  held 
in  the  grove  after  her  departure.  "Oh,  goody 
me  !  "  she  cried,  "  I  haint  got  no  comfort.  There's 
them  poor  ignorant  black  folks  so  happy  they  was 
most  wild  with  'ligion  and  a  wantin'  to  go  home 
to  God,  while  here  am  I,  white,  and  a  planter's 
wife,  a  livin'  in  a  mansion  house,  just  as  mise'ble 
as  I  can  be.  I'm  so  feared  of  death  that  I  can't 
take  no  comfort,  and  don't  get  over  anybody's 
dyin'  for  a  week,  fear  I'll  go  next.  And  this  here 
camp-meetin'  will  keep  me  worked  up  a  thinkin' 
of  my  sins  and  sich  like,  till  somebody  else  dies,  I 
reckons,  and  that  will  stir  me  up  worse  and  worse 
agin." 

"  0,  no,  missus,"  said  Weza,  cheerfully,  "  dare 
won't  be  nobody  die  soon,  for  nobody's  sick  'bout 
here  now.  But  if  yer  will  sense  me  I'd  like  to  tell 
yer  de  way  to  get  a  peace  dat  can't  be  broke  up  by 
anybody's  death." 

"  I  know  what  yer  goin'  to  say — that  I  must  get 
'ligion,  but  it's  no  use  a  tryin'.     Uuggins  is  nobody 


186  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

to  help  me  on,  and  I  don't  know  how  myself.  I 
used  to  make  up  my  mind  every  livin'  Sunday 
that  I  vrould  sure  get  'ligion  fore  the  next  one. 
But  I  put  it  off  and  off,  and  Iluggins  got  sot 
agin  the  Colonel  about  paintin'  that  meetin'-house, 
and  we  quit  goin',  and  that  turned  my  mind  off. 
So  now  when  I  goes  to  quarterly  meetin'  all  I 
thinks  of  is  the  dresses  and  bonnets,  and  seein' 
whose  black  folks  is  the  best  dressed,  and  sich  like. 
But  yesterday  I  had  them  old  fcelins'  come  back 
agin,  and  I'd  half  a  mind  to  tell  Madam,  only  I 
thought  she'd  think  I'd  been  stealin'  or  somethin', 
to  feel  so  wicked." 

"  No,  missus,  she  knows  what  do  feelin'  is  when 
de  Lord  stirs  up  de  sinner ;  and  she'd  Ije  de  very 
one  to  show  yer  de  way.  Zack  could  do  it,  but 
course  yer  would  rather  larn  of  a  lady  den  of  a 
poor  colored  man." 

"  Huggins  is  such  a  high-spirited  man  he 
wouldn't  let  mc  larn  of  either.  He'd  say  madam 
would  set  me  down  for  ignorant,  and  that  it  would 
be  stoopin'  to  talk  to  Zack.  But  I  do  hope  to 
goody  nobody  will  die  while  I  feel  this  worried 
way." 

At  this  moment  the  "  centaur  "  passed  the  win- 
dow and  cried  out,  "  Dere's  awful  news,  Wcza ! 
Who  think  yer  is  dead  dis  morniii'  ?  " 


LAST   WORK   OF   TREACHING   JACK.  187 

Both  women  ran  to  the  door,  when  Obed,  ahnost 
^hitc  with  fear,  cried  out,  '' We's  lost  Prcachin' 
Jack.  lie's  gone  np  to  glory  like  he  said  he 
would;  and  now  who'll  ax  de  Lord  to  pity  and 
save  .us?"  and  the  poor  fellow  gave  vent 'to  his 
feelings  m  a  flood  of  tears. 

Mrs.  Huggins  staggered  back  and  leaned  against 
the   wall,  and  with  her  hands  clasped  tight,  ex- 
claimed, ''  This  here  will  be  tlie  death  of  me  !     It 
can't  be  he's  dead,  Obed,  when  he  was  so  'live  just 
last  night." 
•      "  He  is,"  sighed  Obed,  "  for  on  my  way  to  de 
spring  I  just  rode  over  to  de  colonel's,  and  de 
jud-rhad  sent  for  Zack  for  to  get  up  a  big  funeral 
for  him.     Luke  said  how  dat  dere   was  a  cheriot 
made  out  of  fire  come  down  arter  his  soul,  and  he 
got  into  it  joyful  and  went  up,  a  leavin'  only  his 
body  lTT?hind.     And  de  missus  cried  like  she'd  lost 
her  father,  and  said  his  prayers  for  dat  ar  house 
was  ended  now." 

''0  deary  me,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Huggins,  "it 
was  in  my  heart  to  ax  for  his  prayers  'fore  I  come 
away  last  night,  but  I  thought  it  mought  look 
mean  and  stoopin',  to  Madam.  But  oh,  now  I  wish 
I  had,  for  may  be  he'd  have  prayed  and  got  an- 
swered when  he  was  so  close  to  heaven." 

*'  Jesus  is  just  as  near  to  us  now,  missus,"   said 


188  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

Weza,  "  as  lie  was  to  old  Jack  last  night.  If  }'cr 
ax  for  ycrsclf  he'll  sure  hear,  and  answer,  and 
bless  yer." 

"  I  wouldn't  care  much  if  I  was  only  sure  I 
wouldn't  die  of  a  suddint,"  sobbed  Mre.  Huggins. 
'Ligion  gives  a  body  a  safe  feelin',  1  reckons." 

"0,  missus,"  cried  the  little  woman  mournfully, 
"yer  oughter  care  if  yer  was  goin'  to  live  forever. 
Yer  need  de  comfort  Jesus  gives  to  carry  yer 
through  de  wild'ness  ;  for  it  wont  always  go  easy 
wid  ye  ;  and,  above  all,  yer  oughter  seek  de  honor 
and  glory  of  God  more  den  yer  own  comfort." 

"  Be  they  goin'  to  have  a  mighty  big  funeral, 
Obed  ? "  asked  Mrs.  Huggins,  whose  elastic  mind 
had  sprung  from  the  sad  subject  of  death  to  the 
great  gathering  it  would  occasion.  "  The  judge 
set  such  heaps  by  Jack,  and  then  he's  always 
proud  of  doing  the  biggest  things  for  his  -people. 
I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  invited  all  the  white  folks 
about,  and  had  everything  as  fine  as  if  Jack  was 
white." 

"  Why,"  cri^d  Obed,  "  Luke  reckoned  he'd  put 
up  a  headstone  for  him,  tellin'  '  Well  done,  good 
and  faithful  sarvant '  onto  it,  as  a  zample  to  de 
rest  on  us  to  work  smart  like  Jack  use  to  when 
he  was  young." 

"  Well,  Weza,  yer  mought  as  Avell  have  all  my 


LAST   WORK    OF    PRKACFIIXC;    JACK.  180 

thini^s  brushed  up  smart ;  lor  if  other  white  folks 
go,  ril  go  too.  And  I'll  see  if  I  can't  get  yer 
massa  to  let  yer  all  go,  —  though  there's  been  such 
loss  of  time  by  the  camp-meetin'  that  I  'spect  he'll 
growl  like  a  bear  when  I  ax  him.  He  thinks 
'ligion  and  funerals  is  a  mighty  hindrance  to  work, 
and  that,  twixt  the  two  he  can't  get  nothing  done 
on  his  plantation  year  in  and  year  out." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  VISIT   FROM    ZACK'S   MASTER. 

THE  moiitlis  grew  into  years,  and  still  the  little 
woman  toiled  away  cheerfully,  daily  thanking 
God  for  the  great  gift  of  the  "  strong  heart  to  lean 
agin,"  and  looking  hopefully  forward  to  some  news 
from  her  boys.  One  day  Zack's  master,  while  on 
his  annual  visit  to  his  uncle,  the  colonel,  rode  over 
to  see  'Hnggins,  and  to  ask  some  questions  about 
Weza,  in  whom,  for  Zack's  sake,  he  felt  an  inter- 
est. Huggins  was  very  nervous  at  sight  of  him, 
fancying  he  had  come  to  spy  into  or  to  meddle 
vrith  his  affairs.  He  had  decided  on  meeting  a 
haughty  young  nabob  who  would  either  scorn  or 
ridicule  him,  and  resolved  to  be  out  of  the  way 
on  his  arrival.  But  as  usual,  he  was  not  smart 
enough  to  carry  out  his  plan.  The  gentleman 
roSe  up  on  horseback  while  he  was  still  at  his 
breakfast.  Huggins  had  two  sound  "  cheers  '* 
taken  to  the  veranda,  and  going  out,  he  braced 

190 


A   VISIT   FROM   ZACK's   MASTER.  191 


p 


liimself  against  the  assault  he  expected,  with  liis 
brows  knit  in  a  terrific  manner.  The  gentleman 
met  him  most  graciously,  not  casting  one  glance 
at  his  disordered  garments,  nor  yet  at  his  premi- 
ses, till  Huggins  himself  began  to  wonder  "  where 
on  arth  he  put  his  eyes."  He  spoke  in  a  subdued 
tone,  and  took  the  offered  seat.  After  the  ordinary 
preliminaries  he  said,  "  I  suppose  you  are  aware, 
Mr.  Huggins,  that  Zack  is  my  man,  and  not  my 
uncle's  ?  " 

"  Yes,  so  the  Colonel  told  me,"  replied  Huggins, 
gruffly. 

"  Did  he  tell  you  why  I  sent  him  up  here  ?  " 

"  He  said  you  did  it  for  yer  own  convenience, 
and  I  had  my  suspicions  at  first  that  yer  was 
a  feared  of  yer  life  —  he  is  such  a  savage-lookin' 
fellow.  But  since  he  married  my  woman,  I've 
given  that  up,  findin'  him  peaceable  and  good- 
natured." 

The  gentleman  smiled  and  said,  "  Parting  with 
this  man  was  one  of  the  trials  of  my  life.  No 
money  could  have  bought  him  from  me.  But  my 
wife  took  a  terrible  dislike  to  him  from  the  hour 
she  came  to  my  house,  and  could  not  be  happy 
while  he  was  about.  Thus,  for  years,  I  have  kept 
him  here,  and  no  one  knows  how  I  have  missed 
him.     My  wife  has  recently  died,  and  I  have  come 


192  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

for  Zack  to  take  charge  of  my  plantation ;  and  as 
it  is  against  my  principle  to  separate  husband  and 
wife"  —  that  was  all  that  had  prevented  his  doing 
it  nearer  home  long  ago  —  "I  came  in  to  ask  if 
3^ou  would  sell  the  woman." 

"  No,"  said  Huggins,  with  decision,  "  I  can't 
part  with  her ;  she's  so  good  to  my  wife,  and  don't 
have  no  company  a  runnin',  and  keeps  the  men's 
clothes  together,  and  is  a  good  woman  in  gineral, 
mostly.  And  if  I  did  want  to  sell  her,  yer 
wouldn't  be  willing  to  pay  the  worth  of  her." 

''  I  will  give  you  a  hundred  dollars  more  than 
any  of  your  neighbors  will  name  as  the  market 
value  of  the  woman,"  said  the  gentleman. 

"  0'  course  my  neighbors  would  go  agin  me,  and 
put  her  value  down  to  help  yer,"  said  Huggins, 
sourly. 

"I  don't 'know  why;  all  but  my  uncle  are 
strangers  to  me.  But  set  your  own  price  and 
perhaps  I  will  give  that.  I  want  the  man,  and  he 
is  not  willing  to  go  without  his  wife." 

"  Ha !  "  cried  Huggins,  "  I'd  like  to  have  him 
tell  me  that  if  I  owned  him.  I'd  break  his  '  will ' 
or  I'd  break  his  neck,  one  or  t'other." 

If  the  stranger  had  not  heard  of  Huggins  before 
he  might  have  thought  him  a  monster  of  cruelty, 
and  have  given  him  a  lesson  on  mercy  ;  as  it  was, 


193 


lie  only  smiled,  and  said,  "  I  have  no  desire  to 
break  either  his  will  or  his  neck,  and  so  I  came 
here  to  see  if  I  could  get  him  home  in  an  easier 
way  without  worrying  either  him  or  his  wife." 

''  Missus ! "  called  Huggins  in  at  the  window, 
'•  do  you  want  to  sell  yer  little  woman  for  a  hun- 
dred more  than  I  paid  for  her  ?  " 

''  No,  yer  knows  I  don't,  and  I  reckon  that  rich 
folks  might  have  better  business  than  a  worryin' 
me  when  I'm  so  mise'ble  in  health  and  so  stiff  in 
thcjints.  Aint  there  no  women  left  in  the  world 
but  just  only  my  woman?" 

"  Two  hundred  more  ?  "  continued  Huggins,  in  a 
tantalizing  tone. 

"  No,  I  tell  yer.  Didn't  I  settle  that  ar  when 
the.  Colonel  wanted  her  ?  " 

"  Three  hundred  more?  " 

"  I  reckons  yer  better  quit  auctionin'  her  up  that 
way.  Ill  git  hysterics  if  yer  don't  stop."  This 
was  a  new  accomplishment  "  missus  "  had  acquired, 
by  which  she  could  bring  Huggins  to  terms  when 
the  plea  of  "  stiff  jints  ^'  failed,  and  she  was  too 
tired  to  talk. 

"  Four  hundred  ?  Zack's  owner's  here,  and 
wants  her." 

"  Don't  care  if  the  king  of  England  wants  her  ; 
he  sha'n't  have  her  and  there's  an  end  on't,"  cried 


194  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  missus,"  removing  a  supporting  boot-jack  and  let- 
ting the  window  down  with  a  crash. 

"  It's  no  use  talkin',  sir,  she  says  '  no,'  and  she's 
as  stiff  as  a  mule  when  she's  once  sot  on  a  tliingf' 
said  Huggins. 

The  gentleman  looked  troubled,  and  said,  ad- 
dressing the  window  in  a  loud  tone  —  for  Mrs. 
Huggins  herself  was  invisible  —  "Madam,  I  will 
give  you  a  new  horse  of  your  own  selection,  if  you 
will  let  me  take  the  woman." 

"  I  won't !  "  was  the  prompt  reply  of  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins, "  so  yer  can  clar,  now.  I  never  had  no  peace 
nor  no  rest  in  life  till  I  got  this  little  woman,  and 
I'll  keep  her  till  I  die,  see  if  I  don't." 

"  I  doubt  that,  madam,"  replied  the  gentleman. 
"  I  think  none  of  us  will  keep  our  servants  till  we 
die,  unless  our  lives  shall  be  very  short." 

"  Why,  sir,"  asked  Huggins,  animated  by  alarm  ; 
"  there  aint  no  more  news  'bout  that  ar  muss  in 
Congress,  is  thar  ?  I  haint  seen  a  paper  for  two 
weeks,  but  my  men  gets  all  the  news,  and  I  over- 
hears 'em  tellin'  it  to  each  other,  nights,  mostly." 

"  There's  nothing  new,  but  the  thing  is  moving 
on,  step  by  step,  and  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  end  in 
war,"  replied  the  stranger. 

Huggins  threw  up  his  hands  and  uttered  an 
oath,  a  thing  he   never  did  except  when  awfully 


A    VISIT   FROM   ZACK's   MASTER.  195 

excited  aiid  off  his  guard,  for  he  was  not  a  profane 
man. 

"  Suppose  worst  comes  to  worst,"  he  asked, 
"  wliar  will  the  fight  be  ?  I  hope  the  Yankees 
will  take  us  on  our  own  ground.  The  blacks 
would  stand  by  us  to  a  man,  and  we'd  grind  the 
North  down  to  powder,  we  would."  Here  Hug- 
gins  rose  up,  set  his  teeth  firmly,  clenched  his 
great  fists  and  shook  them  vigorously,  as  if  he 
held  every  man  of  the  free  North  in  their  grasp. 

"  I  don't  believe  the  slaves  will  stand  by  us, 
friend,"  said  the  gentleman,  "  and  I  shall  despise 
them  if  they  do.  If  I  was  one,  I'd  make  common 
cause  with  the  North,  if  I  had  to  shed  my  last  drop 
of  blood  in  the  fight.  We're  a  barbarous  race  to 
hold  our  fellow  men  in  slavery  here  in  the  nine- 
teenth century.  My  only  wonder  is  that  God 
has  not  wiped  us  off  the  face  of  his  earth.  I  have 
felt  this  ever  since  I  knew  right  from  wrong,  and 
heard  the  subject  discussed  in  the  parlor  on  one 
side,  and  in  the  kitchen  on  the  other.  I  always 
-meant  to  liberate  my  people  when  I  came  into  pos- 
session of  them.  But  I  marrie'd,  and  my  wife's 
views  were  not  like  mine ;  so  the  matter  has 
slipped  along.  I  have  been  told  that  Zack's 
mother,  a  noble  woman,  whom  they  called  '  the 
Queen  of  Sheba,'  had  a  revelation  of  what  I  think 


196  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

is  now  coming.  She  told  my  mother  that  God 
liad  promised  to  hide  her  safe  from  it,  but  that 
Zack  would  see  it ;  and  she  bound  him  over  when 
a  boy  never  to  run  off,  but  to  stand  by  his  own 
people  in  the  evil  day." 

"  Then  I'll  warn  yer  he'll  play  traitor  if  there's 
trouble,  and  jine  the  Yankees,  he  will,"  cried 
Huggins. 

The  gentleman  made  no  reply  to  this,  but  said, 
"  If  that  prophecy  is  fulfilled,  you'll  lose  your 
woman  ;  so  you  might  as  well  sell  her  for  a  high 
price  and  save  any  risk  of  the  money." 

"  That's  true,  but  I  can't  manage  my  wife  no 
how ;  and  the  truth  is  I'm  afeared  to  try.  And 
Weza  aint  good  for  much,  neither,"  said  Huggins, 
by  way  of  reconciling  the  gentleman  to  the  disap- 
pointment. "  She  was  sold  off  from  her  two  boys 
when  a  Dr.  Percy's  'state  was  settled  up  in  the 
city,  and  she's  awful  mise'ble  at  times,  and  can't 
hardly  work,  thinkin'  'bout  'em." 

"  Did  she  belong  to  Dr.  Percy  ?  I  know  his 
heir  well.  That  young  mulatto  of  his  used  to 
set  up  the  pins  for  us  when  we  were  playing 
together.  Did  Percy  never  write  to  let  the  poor 
mother  know  that  he  had  sold  her  boy  ?  " 

"  He  don't  know  whar  she  is,"  replied  Huggins, 
"  for  she's  been  sold  twice  since  the  doctor's  death. 


A   VISIT   FROM   ZACK's   MASTER.  197 

She  thought  he  hked  the  boy  too  well  to  part  with 
him,  and  hopes  to  get  at  him  some  time." 

"  A  lady  from  Florida  took  such  a  fancy  to  the 
fellow  that  she  offered  Percy  more  than  he  could 
ref^ise,— he's  very  fond  of  money, —  and  he  took  it, 
though  he  was  sorry  he  did,  before  they  got  off. 
Cant  you  get  any  clew  to  the  other  boy?"  asked 
the  gentleman. 

"  The  man  that  bought  him  writ  a  letter  to  the 
first  man  that  bought  her ;  and  his  overseer  writ 
one  to  me ;  but  that  lazy  Obe  of  mine  lost  it  on 
the  way  from  the  Post  Office,  so  I  never  knowed 
who  it  was  from,  nor  whar  to  answer,  nor  nothin." 
''  How  did  you  know  it  was  from  him,  then  ?  " 
asked  the  gentleman. 

Huggins  turned  all  colors,  and  replied,  "  Oh,  no, 
that  was  another  letter.  My  wife  lighted  her  pipe 
with  this  one  'fore  I  got  it  half  read." 

"  What  a  he  I  "  cried  the  injured  lady,  who  had 
shpped  the  boot-jack  softly  under  the  window 
again.  "  That's  the  only  letter  we  ever  had,  and 
yer  couldn't  find  it  when  Madam  Leon  offered  for 
to  answer  it,  'cause  our  pen  was  rusty  and  our  ink 
dried  up." 

"Well,"  said  the  gentleman,  rising,  "  it  is  of  no 
use  to  waste  any  more  words  about  Zack's  w^ife. 
If  you  won't  let  her  go,  he  will  have  to  leave  her 


198  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

behind  ;  for  I  must  have  him  for  a  while.  I  shall 
let  him  come  to  see  her  as  often  as  he  pleases;  and 
as  he  has  full  liberty,  he'lf  be  pretty  sure  to 
smuggle  her  off  some  time.  I  advise  you  to  sell 
her  while  you  can." 

As  he  left  the  house  he  was  assailed  by  a  volley 
of  words  which  proved  that  one  member,  at  least, 
of  Mrs.  Huggins'  body  was  not  "stiff  in  the  jints." 

When  the  gentleman  had  gone,  Huggins  heard 
the  sound  of  weeping  in  the  kitchen,  and  went  out. 
But  he  had  no  word  of  comfort  for  the  stricken 
Weza ;  he  only  said,  "  'Member  now,  yer  gin  me 
a  vow  when  I  let  yer  get  married  that  yer'd  stay 
here  till  yer  died,  'less  yer  got  yer  liberty.  Now, 
if  ever  yer  $peak  o'  goin'  with  Zack,  I  shall  know 
that  yer  'ligion  has  teach ed  yer  to  lie  to  me  and 
to  rob  me,  and  to  be  cruel  to  yer  poor  sick  missus 
that's  so  good  to  yer.  Now  step  smart  and  make 
the  boys'  hoe-cake,  for  they'll  soon  be  in  from  the 
field." 

And  the  poor  heart  was  again  driven  back  into 
the  deep,  dark  wilderness. 


CHAPTER  XYI. 

HUGGINS   GETS   RID   OF  ZACK. 

WHEN  the  men  had  eaten  their  hoe-cake  and 
gone  back  to  the  field,  and  the  heart-broken 
"  Httle  brown  woman "  had  taken  refuge  in  the 
great  empty  chamber  where  she  slept,  Huggins 
closed  the  doors  and  windows,  and  drew  his  chair 
up  close  to  his  wife's  for  a  confidential  talk.  She 
was  not  in  good  humor,  being  sorely  vexed  by  the 
offer  of  Zack's  owner,  and  angry  at  Huggins  for 
"  not  threatenin'  to  shoot  him,  as  any  man  that 
was  half  a  man  would  ha'  done." 

"  Come,  now,  cheer  up,  missus,"  said  Huggins, 
as  he  took  her  pipe  and  filled  it,  with  unwonted 
gallantry  ;  "  yer  best  days  is  ahead  yet.  I'm  more 
pleased  'bout  Zack's  goin'  off"  than  I  would  be  by 
the  gift  of  a  new  '  hand.'  I've  always  felt  since 
he  come  about  like  'sif  I  had  an  overseer  a  watch- 
in'  of  me  to  see  if  I  kep'  my  place  up  smart  and 
used  my  people  well.     When  I  tell  any  thin'  afore 

199 


200  OUT   OF   THE   \nLDERNESS. 

him  he  looks  into  my  eyes  as  if  he  was  watchin' 
to  ketch  me  in  a  he,  and  I've  been  afeared  to  work 
Weza  enough  to  make  her  pay,  knowin'  every 
hvin'  tiling  was  carried  back  to  the  Colonel's  and 
sot  down  agin  me  for  '  meanness.'  Now  I'm  goin' 
to  begin  all  new,  and  see  if  I  can't  get  w^ork  done 
like  other  planters  does.  I'll  lay  down  laws,  and 
I'll  pint  my  gun  at  the  first  man  that  breaks  'em. 
I'm  goin'  to  put  that  tattlin'  Obed  to  work,  —  he 
travels  enough  to  kill  a  strong  man  ;  and  Weza 
can  do  all  in  the  house,  and  help  hoe  when  our 
work  gits  the  upper  hand  on  us  —  as  it  always 
does." 

Mrs.  Huggins  turned  her  back  on  her  husband, 
hitched  her  "  cheer "  further  from  him  two  or 
three  times,  and  puffed  away  at  lier  pipe  with  un- 
common activity,  looking  much  like  a  little  steam 
tug  laboring  to  get  out  of  port. 

"  Yer  may  get  rid  of  Zack,  and  work  Obe  to 
death,  and  make  new  laws,  and  any  thin'  else,  but 
yer  shan't  send  my  little  woman  to  the  fields  when 
I  aint  aljle  to  git  out  o'  my  cheer  without  pain," 
she  said,  with  spirit. 

"  Everythin's  goin'  to  destruction  now,"  moaned 
Huggins. 

"  Course  it  is  ;  yer  haint  just  found  it  out,  have 
yer  ?  "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins.     "  I  don't  keer  if  it 


HUGGINS   GETS   RID   OF   ZACK.  201 

all  goes  to  ruin.  I  liaiiit  no  heirs  to  leave  it  to 
when  Tm  dead  and  gone.  All  I  cares  for  is  to 
take  lite  a  bit  easier  while  I  lasts.  But  every  body 
is  agin  me  as  if  they  wanted  to  work  me  to 
death." 

"  Who's  agin  yer  ?  I  reckons  'taint  me,"  said 
her  husband. 

"  Well,  the  Colonel's  aching  to  buy  Weza,  and 
now  this  here  new  man,  he  wants  her,  and  like's 
not  Zack  '11  want  her  too.  When  I've  fit  'em  all 
off,  then  yer,  that  vowed  to  love,  honor  and  obey 
me,  turns  round  and  talks  about  first  workin'  her 
to  death  in  doors  and  then  sendin'  her  to  the  field 
over  hours.  She  won't  do  it,  no  how,"  said 
missus. 

Huggins  took  good  care  not  to  press  the  matter, 
and  rising  up,  tried  to  beat  an  honorable  retreat, 
but  he  was  thwarted  by  the  ever-victorious  foe. 

"  Sit  down  there,"  she  said,  pointing  to  a  chair  ; 
and  he  dropped  into  it  as  if  he  had  been  brought 
down  by  the  magic  of  the  gun  which  even  Zack's 
skill  had  failed  to  make  anything  but  harmless. 

"  If  I  was  a  great  big  white  man  like  yer,"  she 
continued,  "  I'd  be  ashamed  to  own  I  was  afeard 
of  a  black  man.  I'd  have  more  sperit  than  that. 
It  makes  me  ashamed  to  be  yer  wife.  If  Td  a 
married  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal  I  wouldn't 


202  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

have  been  the  wife  of  a  coward  nor  yet  been 
Worried  to  death  by  work,  as  I  be.  Fd  a  been  a 
lady,  I  would." 

"  Why  didn't  yer  marry  him,  then  ? "  asked 
Huggins,  plucking  up  a  Httle  courage. 

"  Never  see  him  till  he'd  been  married  for 
years,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  with  a  sadness  in 
which  the  Colonel  would  probably  not  have  sympa- 
thized. "  But  there's  no  use  cryin'  over  spilt  milk; 
so  I  may  as  well  make  the  best  of  the  one  I've  got, 
and  control  him  as  well  as  I  can." 

"  I  ain't  a  coward,"  growled  Dave. 

"  Is  that  ere  so  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Huggins  ;  "  yer 
surprises  me  with  the  news.  What  yer  goin'  to 
say  to  Zack  when  he  comes  over  here,  —  for  come 
he  will, —  to  beg  yer  to  sell  Weza,  'fore  this  day's 
over  ?  " 

"  I'm  goin'  down  river  in  an  hour  and  shan't  be 
back  till  him  and  his  master's  gone.  If  he  comes, 
yer  tell  him  I  was  right  sorry  not  to  see  him  'fore 
he  went,  and  that  I  wish  him  well,  and  that  if  it 
wasn't  for  yer  enjoying  such  abominable  bad  health 
I'd  sold  Weza  for  his  sake." 

"  Humph  !  "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  if  I  was  a 
coward  I  wouldn't  be  a  hypocrite  too." 

"  If  I  get  his  ill  will  he'll  like's  not  coax  Weza 
off,  and  I  suspicion  his  master  would  help  him  do 


HUGGINS   GETS   RID   OF   ZACK.  203 

it,"  replied  Dave.  "  He  talks  like  the  onprinci- 
plest,  heathciiist,  bloodthirsticst  abolitiouist  that 
ever  raved  and  tore  about ;  and  if  he  lived  near 
me  he'd  stand  a  chance  o'  tar  and  feather,  he 
would." 

''  Pho  ! "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  scornfully,  ^t  He'd 
get  all  his  'cendiary  work  done  'fore  yer  got  out 
o'  yer  cheer.  When  are  yer  goin'  to  get  off  out 
of  Zack's  way,  did  yer  say  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  thought  I  mought  go  in  'l)out  an  hour  ; 
he  won't  come  over  till  his  teams  is  in  for  the 
day,"  replied  Huggins,  stretching  himself  out  on 
two  chairs  for  a  rest. 

"  He  wont,  ha !  Well,  look  out  o'  the  window, 
and  tell  me  who's  that  on  a  fine  boss  comin'  up 
our  lane  :  ha !  " 

"  Oh,  my  goodness  stars ! "  cried  Huggins. 
"  He's  come  to  bid  her  good-by  ;  and  he'll  sure  lay 
a  plot  with  her  to  'scape  if  I  leave  'em  alone  a 
minute.  Yer  go  up  and  tell  her  not  to  come  out 
o'  that  are  room  to  the  peril  of  her  life.  Tell  her 
I've  gone  ravin'  crazy,  and  am  flying  about  here 
with  a  gun  and  yer  expect  every  minute  I'll  shoot 
yer.  Turn  the  key  on  her  to  keep  her  safe.  Oh, 
goodness  !  there  ain't  no  key  !  Order  her  fierce  to 
stay  where  she  is,  and  I'll  go  out  and  tell  him 
she's  gone  down  to  the  Bend  for  a  pair  of  shoes." 


204  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

And  with  this  weak  fiction  on  his  lips  Dave 
went  to  the  side  door  to  meet  Zack.  But  that 
independent  son  of  Ham  was  armed  with  liis 
savage  look,  which  lie  could  put  on  or  off  at 
will ;  and  without  even  a  "  good  day,  massa,"  he 
called,  out  in  thunder  tones  which  shook  poor 
Huggins'  very  soul,  "  I  want  to  see  my  wife, 
massa." 

"  She's  a  —  a  —  gone  —  to  the  a  —  Bend  —  a  — 
to  a  —  buy  shoes." 

"  Massa  Huggins,  she's  a  gone  nowhars.  I  can 
tell  by  yer  eye  she's  in  dis  yere  house.  Can  yer 
make  me  believe  dat  when  her  poor  little  heart's  a 
bustin'  'bout  losin'  me,  dat's  all  she's  got  in  de 
world,  she'd  go  off  for  such  a  paltry  thing  as 
shoes  is,  'stead  o'  havin'  a  last  word  wid  me  ?  No, 
sir,  yer  can't  fool  me  dis  way.  Call  her  out  here, 
will  yer,  please  ?  "  —  and  the  scowl  Zack  put  on 
was  enough  to  terrify  a  braver  man  than  his 
antagonist. 

In  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  a  slave  addressing  any 
planter  in  this  independent  style  would  have  been 
shot  on  the  spot.  But  Zack  knew  his  ground  and 
his  man,  and  had  come  prepared  for  a  little  harm- 
less artifice,  hoping  to  accomplish  by  fear  what  his 
master  had  failed  to  do  by  money.  He  knew  that 
as  Huggins  stood  alone  in  that  neighborhood,  and 


HUGGINS   GETS   RID   OF   ZACK.  205 

was  a  laughing  stock  for  both  whites  and  blacks, 
his  course  would  be  regarded  as  a  good  joke  by 
all ;  and  that  his  master  and  the  Colonel  were  at 
home  waiting  to  hear  of  his  success. 

He  got  off  his  horse  and  hitched  hm  to  a  post, 
and  then  said,  looking  Huggins  in  the  eye,  "  Call 
my  wife.  She's  mine,  for  de  Lord  gin  her  to  me, 
and  I'll  have  her,  too,  'fore  she's  much  older." 

Huggins  opened  the  door  of  "  missus'  room,"  and 
asked,  "  Has  Weza  got  back  from  the  Bend  yet  ?  " 

"Yes,"  said  "missus,"  between  the  puffs  of 
smoke,  "  she's  been  back  half  an  hoiu*.  Go  call 
her.  Zack,  come  in,  poor  fellow.  I'm  right  sorry 
for  yer  and  Weza ;  she's  a'most  wild,  and  if  I 
wasn't  so  mise'ble  I'd  make  Huggins  sell  her  to 
yer  master." 

"  Dat  ar  would  be  fur  yer  interest,  missus,"  re- 
plied Zack,  "  for  yer  won't  have  her  long,  no  way. 
But  settle  it  to  suit  yerself.  My  part  of  de  bar- 
gain will  be  a  heap  better  den  yer's.  Dere's  a  war 
just  'pon  us,  and  Massa  Linkum,  what's  got  hold 
of  de  reins,  he'll  drive  powerful,  I  tell  yer.  Dere's 
been  heaps  of  talkin'  and  prayin'  'bout  him  dat 
yer  haint  heerd  on ;  and  de  Lord  has  clothed  him 
wid  iron  and  brass  and  put  de  'venger's  sword 
into  his  hand  and  a  woman's  heart  into  his  breast ; 
and  now  he's  goin'  forth  a  conquerin'*  and  for  to 


206  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

conquer.  His  work  —  what  de  Lord  made  him 
'special  for — is  to  break  de  fetters  of  de  slave 
and  to  set  de  'pressed  free.  De  black  folks  says 
he  was  born  wid  a  '  glory'  round  his  head  like  de 
Virgin  Mary  and  her  child  and  some  of  de  'postles. 
Any  how  he's  de  great  Moses  dat's  to  deliver  out 
of  de  second  bondage  by  turnin'  de  rivers  to  blood, 
and  slayin'  de  first  horned,  and  such  like  judgment 
on  de  Pharaohs  and  de  'Gyptians  of  dis  day." 

"  The  papers  tells  that  he's  low-born  and  bred," 
said  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  and  it  must  be  so,  for  I've 
heerd  that  every  thin's  as  true  as  the  gospel  that's 
put  into  newspapers." 

"  Den  dere's  some  hard  things  'mong  us.  De 
judge  takes  a  paper  from  de  North,  de  Triboon, 
and  dere's  hard  talk  agin  de  South  into  it.  Luke 
gits  de  readin'  on't  'fore  de  judge  does." 

"  0'  course  that's  full  of  lies.  Every  paper  and 
everybody  lies  there  to  the  North.  But  our  pa- 
pers, that's  all  true,  says  that  this  yere  Lincoln 
was  low  born,  and  aint  no  way  fit  to  rule  over  gen- 
tlemen ;  and  that  he  was  brung  up  in  a  log  cabin 
and  never  lived  in  no  mansion  house  in  his  life  ; " 
and  the  mistress  of  this  mansion  house  drew 
herself  up  in  conscious  superiority  over  Abraham 
Lincoln.  ''  They  mought  better  a  pitched  on  Hug- 
gins  for   President,"  she  continued.     ''  He   never 


HUGGINS   GETS   RID   OF   ZACK.  207 

lived  ill  a  log  cabin,  and  he  wouldn't  a  worried  the 
South  this  ere  way  ;  and  he'd  a  let  'em  just  move 
oft  as  they  was  mind  to,  and  the  North  too,  for  all 
he'd  care." 

This  was  too  much  for  Zack,  who  was  well 
posted  up  in  public  matters  through  the  slaves  that 
went  to  the  post-office.  And  forgetting  for  the 
moment  the  sad  errand  on  which  he  had  come,  he 
burst  out  laughing. 

Mrs.  Huggins  smiled  too,  not  seeing  the  point  of 
the  joke. 

"  I  don't  wonder  yer  laugh,"  sh«  said.  "The 
idea  of  gittin'  a  President  out  of  a  log  cabin !  " 

"Missus,"  said  Zack,  solemnly,  "we  got  a 
greater  den  he  out  of  a  stable  once.  Look  how 
low  born  de  great  Deliverer  was  in  de  eyes  of 
proud  man.  But  half  de  univarse  bows  to  him 
now,  and  t'other  half's  got  to  do  it  yet.  De  babe 
in  de  manger,  de  man  o'  Calvary,  he  is  de  King  o' 
Glory.  So  God  does  his  big  work  by  dem  dat's 
poor  in  dis  world." 

"Why,  Zack,  yer  talks  a'most  like  Preachin' 
Jack  use  to,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  in  surprise. 

"  Thankee,  missus,  but  Ps  in  a  big  hurry  dis 
time.  Will  yer  please  to  call  Weza,  wharever  she 
is  ?  " 

"  I  sent  Huggins  to  call  her  long  'go  ;  and  there 


208  OUT    OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

lie  is  now  just  a  shoutin'  from  the  bottom  of  the 
stairs.  A  body  can't  get  a  thing  done  in  this  yer 
world  'thout  they  up  and  does  it  theirselves. 
Now,  Zack,  yer  tell  her  to  be  cheerful  and  con- 
tented, and  I  reckons  when  Christmas  comes 
'bout  agin  we'll  sell  her  to  yer  owner.  Mought  be 
I'll  be  smart,  gin  that  time  and  have  a  new  woman 
to  fill  her  place."  But  this  prospect  did  not  elate 
Zack  very  much.     He  saw  the  die  was  cast. 

"  Dere  she  comes,"  he  said ;  "  I  hears  her  slow 
step  on  de  stairs  —  poor  little  woman."  Weza  en- 
tered the  doon  he  had  opened  for  her,  and  with 
that  livid  look  s_^  striking  in  those  of  her  race 
when  suffering,  she  sank  into  a  chair.  Zack  folded 
his  arms  and  threw  back  his  brawny  shoulders, 
straightening  himself  up  to  his  full  height,  and 
looked  at  her  pitifully.  "  Lord  of  heavens  I  "  he 
cried,  "  isn't  dis  yere  a  sight  to  make  de  angels 
groan  ?  X  great  man  like  me  wid  a  immortal  soul 
and  a  lovin'  heart  into  him,  to  stand  here  and  see 
de  woman  dat  God's  gin  him  for  his  own,  caged 
up  like  a  poor  mouse,  and  can't  lift  a  finger  to 
loose  her.  Can  it.  be  dat  I's  a  man,  dat  I's  born 
and  brung  up  in  free  'Merica  ?  Mought  be  I's  only 
a  brute  all  dis  time,  and  been  dreamin'  I's  a  man 
wid  de  love  of  man  into  me.  No,  no,  no  I  dere's  a 
soul  inside  o'  me,  and  a  soul  inside  of  dat  dear 


HCTGGLXS   GETS   RID   OF   ZACK.-  200 

little  woman  dat  I'd  a  gin  my  life  for.  God  made 
us  all  right;  but  man,  starred  up  by  de  devil,  has 
put  us  whar  we  be.  But,  dear  Lord,  his  breath  is 
only  in  his  nostrils,  and  dou  can  carry  him  'way 
wid  a  flood  and  set  my  people  free." 

The  entry  door  was  open  on  a  crack  and  Hug- 
gins'  left  ear  was  quite  visible  there  ;  so  Zack  con- 
tinued this  soliloquy  for  his  benefit.  Then  he 
said,  "  Massa  Huggins,  open  dat  ar  door  wider ! 
I'll  just  say  yer  may  thank  God  dat  I's  a  Christian 
—  dat  I's  born  agin  —  dat  old  things  is  passed 
away  and  all  is  new  inside  o'  me  !  For  if  I  didn't 
love  Jesus  and  seek  for  to  honor  and  glorify  him, 
I  "believe  in  my  heart  I'd  kill  de  man  dat  wouldn't 
let  my  wife  go  when  he's  offered  a  big  price  for 
her !  But  every  one  dat  walks  arter  him  has  got 
to  wear  a  crown  like  de  Jews  put  onto  his  dear 
head,  and  has  got  to  take  a  cross  up  hill  on  his 
shoulders,  like  he  did.  Dis  yere  partin'  is  my 
crown  o'  thorns  and  my  cross  full  of  nails,  but  de 
dear  Lord  will  ease  de  crown  wid  his  hand  and 
lift  one  end  of  de  cross  for  me !  And  what  I  can't 
do  for  to  comfort  Weza's  broke  heart  de  Lord  will 
do  !  Madam  Leon  send  me  over  to  say  she  want 
Weza  to  come  and  eat  supper  wid  our  folks,  case 
she's  goin'  to  have  a  partin'  supper  for  me,  wid  a 
turkey,  and  pies  and  sich  like.  Mought  she  go, 
missus  ?  " 


210  "■     OUT   OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

"  Will  yer  promise  to  bring  her  safe  back  to  me 
arter  supper,  on  yer  word  as  a  Christian  ?  "  asked 
missus. 

"  Sartain,  missus,  I  will ;  as  sure's  I  love  de 
Lord  and  strives  to  please  him  she  shall  be  here 
by  ten  o'clock !  And  I'd  wish  to  say  for  my  dear 
young  massa,  dat  he  don't  force  me  to  go  home. 
He  needs  me  very  much,  and  he  say  if  he  can't 
make  no  tarms  wid  yer  'bout  Weza,  bymeby  he'll 
let  me  come  back  agin.  But  I  tell  yer,  I'll  be 
round  'bout  mighty  often  to  see  if  she's  got  hap- 
pier,—  poor  little  woman  !  " 

Weza  asked  Zack,  meekly,  "  Moughtn't  I  stay 
long  enough  just  to  get  de  supper  ready?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  Zack,  "  dough  yer  don't  look 
like  doin'  much  now  but  lyin'  down  in  yer  coffin  ! 
I'll  go  out  and  talk  farewells  to  de  boys  in  de 
field  while  yer  gittin'  ready." 

When  he  was  gone,  Huggins  came  in  from  the 
entry,  terrible  in  wrath  !  He  denounced  the  colo- 
nel as  "  an  old  nabob,"  his  guest  as  "  a  cussed 
abolitionist,"  Zack  as  ''  a  highwayman,"  Weza  as 
"  an  ongrateful  creator,"  and  Mrs.  Huggins  as 
"  nobody  at  all "  for  consenting  to  let  her  off." 

"Did  yer  think  I  was  go  in'  to  git  all  stirred  up 
a  talkin'  and  arguin'  ?  She'll  come  back  all  safe, 
I'll  promise  I  "  returned  '^  missus." 


HCGGINS  GETS   BTD   OP   ZACK.  211 

"  Yes,  aiKl  they'll  tell  there  'bout  her  goin'  to 
the  Bend  for  shoes,  and  like's  not  they'll  say  I  lied 
about  it  aud  that  she  ^vas  in  the  house  all  the 
time!"  said  Huggins,  tender  of  his  character  for 

veracity. 

"Course  they  will,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins, 
calmly,  as  if  lying  aud  being  called  a  liar  ^vere  a 
thing  of  every  day  occurrence,  and  of  very  little 

moment  any  way. 

When  poor  Weza  was  arrayed  for  the  sorrowful 
visit,  she  walked  by  the  side  of  Zack,  who  led  the 
horse,  till  they  reached  the  end  of  the  lane;  then 
he  lifted  her  on  to  the  saddle,  put  the  reins  in  her 
hand  and  walked  on  at  her  side. 

"  That  are's  'dikerlous ! "  cried  Huggins.     "  He's 
as  tinder  o'  her  as  the  Colonel  is  of  Madam." 

"  Why  didn't  yer  say  as  tinder  as  yer  be  of 
me  ''  "  whistled  missus  from  her  teeth,  which  were 
stiU  shut  on  the  pipe  stem.  "  Course  he  loves  her 
like  white  men  loves  their  wives,  and  why 
shouldii't  he?  She's  more  lovabler  than  many  a 
white  woman,  I'm  sure." 

"It  always  roused  my  sperit  terrible,"  cried 
Dave,  "when  he  come  over  here  to  feed  my  hogs 
and  split  my  wood  and  to  clar  up  the  place  in 
gineral.  It  looked  like  he  thought  I  didn't  look 
after  matters  sharp  1 " 


212  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Humph  !  "  cried  Mrs.  Hiiggins,  with  a  sarcas- 
tic smile.  She  saw  the  deficiencies  about  tlie 
plantation  as  plainly  as  anybody  did ;  but  as  she 
didn't  mean  to  exert  herself,  she  had  long  ago  re- 
solved not  to  worry  about  them. 

'^  Well,  I'll  be  rid  of  him  now  and  have  nothing 
to  worry  me,  —  if  this  talk  of  war  don't ! "  ex- 
claimed Huggins.  "  If  it  comes,  like's  not  I'll 
have  to  shoulder  my  gun  and  go  off  as  capting  I 
They  say  that  the  chevelry  is  all  to  be  officers, 
and  the  poor  whites  and  the  blacks  is  to  be  the 
fightin'  sogers.  They  say  the  blacks  will  fight 
fierce  for  their  homes  and  their  country  !  " 

*'  They  don't  disturb  women  folks  in  time  o' 
wars,  do  they  ?  "  asked  missus. 

"  Not  in  gineral,  they  don't,"  replied  Dave ; 
"  but  Daniel  Philips,  that's  been  to  the  Xortli  a 
huntin'  up  runaways,  and  knows  how  furious  they 
be  up  thar, — he  says  how't  they'd  pour  down  on 
us  like  the  savage  horges  used  to  pour  down  in 
Europe  on  the  'fined  and  civilized  nation^ !  He 
says  they'll  stick  at  nothin' ;  that  they'll  rob  us 
and  burn  our  houses  and  carry  off  all  the  hand- 
some women." 

"  Oh  !  oh  I  oh  !  goody  gracious  !  What  will  be- 
come of  me,  then  ?  "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  shudder- 
ing, and  realizing  for  the  first  time  the  horrors  of  a 


HTJGGINS   GETS   RID   OF   ZACK.  213 

civil  war.  "  Yei*  must  board  up  the  windows,  and 
not  let  'em  know  ye've  got  a  wife,  and  Weza  will 
feed  me  when  they're  off  a  fightin'. 

"  I  suppose,  even  if  the  sogers  didn't  carry  a 
body  off,  a  war  would  raise  the  price  o'  tobacco  ? " 
she  asked. 

''  Course  'twould ;  men  couldn't  be  a  fightin' 
and  raisin'  crops  to  the  same  time,  could  they  ? 
'T would  raise  calico,  and  broadcloth,  and  every 
thin',  like  they  tell  of  in  the  Rivolution  times," 
replied  Dave. 

"  La,  I  don't  care  for  that ;  I  can  ^asy  go  with- 
out clothes,  but  I  can'c  go  without  my  pipe!  I'd 
die  if  I  couldn't  git  tobacco !  "  said  the  lady. 

"  I'll  lay  yer  in  a  stock  afore  trouble  comes,  and 
some  gin  for  myself,  —  course  a  body  couldn't  live 
without  gin  !  "  exclaimed  Huggins. 

And  while  this  elegant  conversation  was  going 
on  at  the  mansion  house,  poor  Weza  was  listening 
to  Zack's  words  of  comfort,  and  pleading  with  him 
not  to  go  away  —  as  he  was  not  forced  to  do  so. 

"  Yer  knows,  chile,"  he  said,  "  I  owes  duty  to 
my  massa.  Most  men  would  a  sent  me  to  de  auc- 
tion block  to  please  a  new  wife ;  but  look  what 
liberty  he's  gin  me  !  Never  a  day  o'  my  life  but 
I's  had  all  dat  any  free,  workin'  man  ought  to  ask, 
'sides  always  a  little  money  in  my  pocket !     Now 


214  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

dat  he's  a  sufferin'  for  my  help,  I  must  go  wid 
him.  But  de  time  won't  be  long.  Dere's  a  big 
muss  starrin'  up  in  Cungress  all  about  us  ;  and  de 
Lord's  people  is  siegin'  of  him  day  and  night  for  to 
break  our  chain.  Weza,  I  'spects  yet  to  be -a  free 
man,  wid  a  free  wife  ;  and  to  build  yer  a  smart 
little  house  and  give  yer  a  cow  and  a  pig  of  yer 
own  and  live  wid  ye  de  year  round  !  " 

"  But  it'll  be  so  Jong  and  I'll  be  so  lonesome 
here !  "  said  Weza.  "  And  de  horror  'bout  de  boys 
will  come  back  on  me." 

"  Yer  must  thank  de  Lord  dat  yer  aint  goin'  to 
be  left  wid  savage  folks  !  Yer  massa  and  missus 
is  next  thing  to  fools  in  some  matters,  but  dey's 
good-natured  and  kind-hearted.  I  shall  make 
errands  up,  and  let  yer  know  how  dey  gets  on  'bout 
dis  war.  My  massa  talks  wid  me  like  I  was  white. 
He'd  give  me  my  free  papers  dis  blessed  minute  if 
I  axed  him,  but  I'll  wait  till  de  Lord  draws  'em 
out  for -both  of  us  to  once." 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

GREAT   CHANGES. 

ZACK  turned  the  complimentary  supper  at  the 
Colonel's  into  a  prayer  meeting,  saying,  "  Dear 
friends,  when  we's  tore  into  sunders  from  dem  we 
loves,  dat's  de  time  to  stick  close  to  de  Lord  dat 
can't  be  took  from  us  no  how !     If  de.  chice  was 
gin  me  to  leave  my  wife  and  never  Uve  wid  her,  or 
to   have   my   rigiit  hand   cut  off,  I'd   quick   say, 
*  Fetch   on  yer   knife,   sar.'     Thank   de   Lord   de 
chice  isn't  left  wid  me,  but  duty  settle  de  question. 
My  dear  massa,  dat's  been  so  tinder  o'  my  feelin's, 
says  he  needs  me  powerful  bad  at  home,  but  dat  he 
wont  sunderate  by  force  no  man  and  wife.     Den  I 
makes  up  my  mind  not  to  go  a  step.     But  den  I 
thinks  of  God  !     So  I  goes  up  to  de  loft  in  de 
carriage   house  and  falls   down  on   my  face   and 
cries  out,  like  our  bfother  Paul  did,  '  Lord,  what 
will  dou  have  me  for  to  do  ? ' 

«  Den  dere  shine  a  big  light  all  'bout  de  room, 

215 


216  OUT   OF   THE   AVILDERNESS. 

SO  dat  I  see  de  saddles  and  de  harnesses  and  de 
bridles  hangin'  on  de  pegs  whar  all  was  dark  as 
pitch  de  minute  afore ;  and  dere,  crouched  up 
in  a  corner,  sot  Satan,  and  says  he,  '  Yer  stick  by, 
and  don't  go  ! '  But  den  ^ome  anoder  voice  like 
somebody  I  love  was  a  whisperin'  in  my  ear.  I 
felt  de  warm  breath  on  my  cheek,  and  de  words 
was,  '  'Cept  a  man  be  willin'  for  to  leave  father 
and  mother,  and  house,  and  land,  and  wife,  and 
chiren  for  my  sake,  he  ain't  fit  for  my  kingdom.' 

''  But  says  I,  '  Dear  Jesus,  I's  willin'  to  leave  all 
if  I  had  any  more  —  only  dis  poor,  weak  little 
woman !  But  I's  powerful  tinder  of  her,  she's 
been  so  tore  wid  trouble  a'ready  'bout  dem  boys  ! 
Dis  yere  last  blow  will  take  her  life,  poor,  lovin' 
little  creatur'.'  Den  come  de  voice  agin,  sweeter 
den  afore,  sayin',  '  Sarvants,  obey  your  massas 
'cordin'  to  de  flesh,  and  ye  shall  'ceive  tenfold  in 
dis  yere  life  and  heaven  bymeby  I  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  yer  both.'  Den  such  a  feelin'  come 
over  me  dat  I  spring  up  and  clap  my  hands  and 
say, '  Dis  yere  is  a  powerful  little  thing  to  do  for 
Jesus  ! '     I  sing  right  out, 

'  Beca'se  I  wear  de  crown  of  thorns, 
Dere's  glory  in  my  soul ! 
Beca'se  I  drink  de  bitter  cup, 
Dere's  glory  in  my  soul ! 


GREAT    CHANGES.  217 

Dis  foolish  world  is  bleak  and  cold, 
But  heaven's  widin  my  soul ! 
Glory,  Glory,  IIalleluj.ih, 
In  heaven  we'll  part  no  more! ' 

"  Den  I  goes  to  de  mansion  house  and  tells  my 
own  massa  all  dis.  'Fore  dis  he'd  begun  for  to 
love  Miss  Juley  and  so  he  knowed  hisself  what  my 
love  was.  Says  I,  '  0,  massa,  dere's  heen  a  pow- 
erful big  fight  in  our  carriage  house  ! '  He  opened 
liis  eyes  and  says,  '  Who's  been  a  fightin'  ?  '  '  De 
devil  and  me,  massa,'  says  I,  '  and  by  de  Lord's 
help  I  beat !  He  put  into  my  head  for  to  have  my 
own  will  agin  yer'i?  and  de  Lord's,  but  I  'membered 
heaps  o'  Scriptur'  words,  and  I  just  took  'em  up 
one  arter  t'other  and  hit  him  wid  'em  smack  in  de 
face  ;  and  next  minute  he  warn't  nowhar  !  Now, 
massa,'  says  I,  '  look  here  at  me,  a  great  powerful 
fellow,  dat  could  beat  any  three  white  men  for 
strength  I  Wid  de  liberty  ye's  gin  me  and  the 
sliiftlessness  o'  Massa  Huggins,  I  could  run  off — 
wife  and  all  I  and  yet  see  me  stand,  meek  as  a 
kitten,  in  dis  heavy  yoke  and  sing  praises  to  de 
Lord  wid  my  head  through  it !  Please  tell  me 
what  yer  thinks's  de  reason  o^my  doin'  dis  ?  ' 

"  'Cause  yer  such  a  good-natured  fellow,  Zack,' 
says  he, '  and  loves  me  so ! ' 

*' '  No,  sar ! '  says  I,  ^  dat's  not  it.     I  loves  yer, 


218  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS, 

but  I  loTes  dat  ar  little  brown  woman  a  licap 
more !  I  loves  her  more  dan  ever  ycr  loved  dat 
poor,  weak  woman  dat's  gone —  axin'  yer  pardon  : 
and  I  believe  I  could  lay  down  my  life  for  her  I 
But  dere's  One  I  loves  more  den  her,  and  it's  for 
his  sake  dat  1  bows  my  neck  meek  to  dis  yere 
yoke  —  to  honor  him  !  Could  yer  do  as  much  for 
him,  massa,  widout  grumblin  ? ' 

" '  No,  Zack,'  says  he,  lookin'  mournful.  *  I 
never  did  notliin'  for  him,  nor  any  body  but  my- 
self.' 

"  '  It's  time,  den,  yer  begun  for  to  love  and  sarve 
him.  De  time  to  do  up  yer  woi:k  may  be  short ! ' 
says  I. 

"  And  now,  friends  and  brothers,"  continued 
Zack,  "  I  axes  yer  prayers  now  and  when  I's  gone 
dat  de  Lord  would  comfort  my  little  woman  and 
save  my  dear  massa,  for  I  tell  yer  he's  de  loveliest 
sinner  ever  yer  met  up  wid ! " 

There  was  embracing  and  kissing  and  weeping 
when  Weza  left  for  home,  and  a  score  of  the 
Colonel's  men  and  women  pledged  themselves  to 
stand  by  her  in  sickness  or  any  other  trouble. 

On  their  way  back  Zack  gave  Weza  a  pair  of 
coral  ear-rings  which  his  master  said  he  had 
"  found  in  a  box  at  home."  Zack  remembered 
them,  as  well  as  the  bracelet  which  belonged  to 


GREAT   CHANGES.  219 

tbcm  —  "a  gold  one  with  a  sarpiiit's  head  onto 
one  eend  on't,  wid  a  coral  tongue  lianging  out!" 
He  stopped  at  Huggins'  door  and  hooked  them  into 
the  Httle  brown  woman's  ears,  saying,  "  Dey 
belongs  to  a  better  woman  dan  de  poor  weak  one 
dat  wore  dem  de  day  I  hild  her  fast  to  save  de 
hfe  o'  Dely's  baby  !  Little  she  thought  dat  time, 
dat  my  wife  would  ever  wear  'em  !  Ifmassa  had 
a  loved  her  much  he'd  never  a  brung  'em  to  yer !  " 

After  this  parting  the  heart  of  Weza  seemed 
broken.  She  toiled  on,  but  the  patient  smile  was 
gone  from  her  lips,  and  the  cheerful  light  from 
her  eye ;  and  every  now  and  then  heavy  groans 
escaped  her  lips.  Mrs.  Huggins  felt  quite  easy 
herself  and  wanted  every  body  else  to  feel  so.  To 
ease  this  heart-wound,  she  called  Weza  to  her  one 
day  and  presented  her  with  a  silver  quarter,  which 
she  had  been  hoarding  some  time  in  a  chaos  of 
clothes,  yarn,  buttons,  strings,  tobacco  and  seeds. 

Weza  looked  at  the  gift  scornfully,  saying, 
"  What  can  I  do  wid  dat  ?  All  de  money  in  dis 
world  couldn't  make  me  happy  !  My  heart's  gone 
off  now,  and  dis  is  only  my  'live  body  dat's  movin' 
'bout  here  I  I'se  hurryin'  wid  my  work  so's  to  go 
up  stairs  and  stay  all  alone  wid  Jesus.  He  pities 
me." 

"  So  do  I,"  rephed  her  mistress ;  ''  but  I  think 


220  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

yer  makin'  a  big  fuss  'bout  nothin'.  .  Arler  all, 
Zack's  onU^  a  great,  homely  black  fellow  !  " 

"  0,  missus,  he's  beautiful  to  me,"  replied  Weza. 
"  Look  what  a  smile  he's  got ;  and  den  dere  never 
was  sucli  a  loving  creatur !  'Pears  like  he  wanted 
to  take  all  de  work  and  de  sorrow  in  de  world  on 
to  his  own  back  !  " 

"  Oh,  yes'  he's  clever  enough,  but  yer'll  soon  quit 
a  missin'  of  him  I  Why,  once  yer  master  went 
down  river  about  some  pine  he'd  been  a  sellin'  of; 
and  so  he  thought,  while  he  was  ofif,  he'd  stay  long 
enough  for  to  see  the  sights.  He  was  gone  a  fort- 
night, and  if  yer'll  believe  me,  I  never  thought  on 
him  till  I  got  out  o'  tobacco  and  hadn't  no  money 
in  the  house  to  buy  more !  And  think  how  much 
whiter  and  better  lookin'  he  is  than  Zack  ;  besides 
being  a  gentleman,  —  mostly." 

Weza  answered  this  argument  with  a  groan. 

"  And  furthermore,"  continued  Mrs.  Huggins, 
"  'ligion  ought  make  yer  forgit  him.  Yer  ought  to 
be  thankful  he's  gone  ;  they  say  real  Christians  is 
thankful  for  every  thin'.  And  mor'n  that,  p'r'haps 
it  will  only  be  for  a  little  while,  for  like  as  not  he'll 
die  pretty  quick,  —  they  say  it's  awful  sickly  down 
in  them  ere  swampy  parts  ;  and  he  mought's  well 
be  dead  there  as  here.  I'll  ax  yer  master  to  let 
yer  have  another  husband.     The  judge's  Luke's  a 


GREAT   CHANGES.  ^  221 

fust  rate  black  man,  and  liis  wile,  dat  b'longed  to 
dc  Hunter's  'state,  has  just  Ijcen  sold  off  wid  her 
two  children." 

Weza  could  not  bear  this.  It  was  laying  coals 
of  lire  on  her  wound,  and  she  cried,  in  a  tone  Mrs. 
Huggins  had  never  heard  before,  "  Missus,  yer's 
as  cruel  as  de  hangman  !  If  yer  aint  car'ful  ye'U 
drive  me  to  de  crazy-house.  Please  don't  say 
'  Zack '  while  I  lives  ;  but  don't  think  I'll  ever 
forget  him.  If  I  loses  him  forever  here  in  de 
wilderness,  I'll  have  him  bymeby  in  heaven  and 
never  lose  him  no  more  !  I's  goin'  to  bear  dis  as 
well  as  de  other  trouble  patient,  for  Zack  says  de 
Lord  is  a  tryin'  of  me  like  de  silversmith  try  de 
silver  for  to  make  it  shine  bright.  I  promised  him 
dat  I  would  whisper  to  de  Lord  every  hour  of  de 
day  what  my  brother  Job  said  to  God  when  de 
devil  and  every  body  else  bothered  him !  '  Do' 
dou  slay  me  yit  will  I  trust  dee  I '  I's  l)ound  for 
to  love  Jesus,  whether  he  does  like  I  want  him  to 
or  not.  I's  a  poor,  small  little  thing  in  dis  big 
world  o'  his  !  " 

As  the  days  and  weeks  wore  on,  a  deep  gloom 
settled  on  the  minds  of  the  planters.     The  negroes 
caught   whispers   of  the   war   and   grew   restless.  . 
They  met  in  groups  to  tell  and  to  hear  what  had 
been  picked  up  in  the  families  or  at  the  store  and 


222  «*  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

post-office  ;  and  many  who  had  been  regarded  by 
their  owners  as  guiltless  of  all  learning  were  now 
caught  peeping  into  newspapers  and  committing 
like  wicked  acts.  Of  course  the  masters  took 
alarm  and  were  devising  methods  by  which  a 
stricter  watch  could  be  kept  on  them.  It  was  pro- 
posed by  some  to  forbid  their  going  to  meetings  of 
any  kind,  or  even  to  the  customary  merry  makings. 
This  the  Colonel,  influenced  by  his  wife,  strongly 
opposed  at  first,  but  he  was  overruled  by  his 
neighbors,  and  new  fetters  were  placed  upon  the 
blacks  which  did  not  set  easily.  They  Avere  for- 
bidden to  meet  for  prayer  or  praise,  but  they 
atoned  for  this  loss  of  privilege  by  exercising  their 
gifts  in  loud  tones  at  home ;  the  kitchens,  the 
barns  and  the  fields  resounding  with  calls  on  Jesus 
to  "  ride  on  swifter  in  de  golden  chariot,  and  to 
deliver  his  chiren  out  of  de  horrible  pit  and  de 
miry  clay."  When  the  first  gun  was  fired  at 
Sumter  they  almost  heard  it.  They  knew  of  it  as 
soon  as  their  masters  did  ;  and  they  began  laying 
plans  for  the  future  when  they  should  be  free. 
Panic  seized  those  negroes  whose  relatives  were 
divided  among  several  masters.  Every  movement 
of  the  whites  was  watched  with  nervous  interest, 
and  war,  rather  than  work,  was  the  theme  in  man- 
sion house  and  cabin. 


GREAT   CHANGES.  223 

Six  months  had  passed  away  since  Zack's  de- 
parture, and  tlie  time  when  hismaster  had  prom- 
ised to  send  him  up  for  a  visit  was  at  hand.  Weza 
counted  the  hours  and  grew  cheerful  with  hope. 
But  the  Colonel,  dreading  the"  budget  of  news  he 
would  bring,  and  the  effect  of  his  freedom  from  re- 
straint on  the  others,  w^rote  to  his  nephew  forbid- 
ding the  visit.  This  gave  great  offence  to  the  gen- 
tleman, but  he  had  a  wise  reason  for  suppressing 
his  feeling.  Instead  of  replying  by  letter,  he  made 
his  appearance  most  unexpectedly  one  morning, 
leaving  Zack,  who  was  his  travelling  servant,  at 
Huggins'  plantation  to  make  a  new  appeal  for  his 
wife. 

"  Uncle,"  he  said,  "  I'm  worn  out  with  this  con- 
troversy, and  dread  a  long  civil  war.  I've  se- 
cured my  personal  property  and  am  going  abroad. 
I've  come  to  make  a  bargain  with  you." 

"  xVh  ?  to  take  your  place  off  your  hands,  is  it  ?  " 
asked  the  Colonel. 

"  No,  it  is  to  exchange  a  member  of  my  family 
for  one  of  yours.  My  man  will  bring  far  more 
money  in  the  market  tlian  the  person  I  want  from 
you.  Will  you  take  Zack,  whom  you  know  to  be 
a  good  man  and  give  me  —  Miss  Julia  ?  " 

"  My  dear  fellow,"  cried  tlie  Colonel,  '•  I  have 
suspected  this   before.     I  will   give  Julia  to  you 


224  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

with  all  my. heart  pbut  I  don't  want  Zack  I  He  is, 
as  you  say,  a  good  man  ;  but  he  knows  too  much 
for  me  in  these  times.  We're  hushing  up  every 
thing  from  the  blacks,  but  Zack  knows  as  much  as 
you  do,  and  so  will  be  dangerous  here.  What 
will  you  do  with  your  other  servants  ?  " 

"  I  have  given  Dely  and  her  boys  to  her  hus- 
band's owner ;  Mary  and  old  Nancy  and  Sue  have 
gone  to  Uncle  John's ;  and  I've  let  out  the  field 
hands  to  my  neighbor  Davis  at  his  own  price." 

^'  Tom,  you're  crazy  !  "  cried  the  Colonel. 

"  No  sir ;  the  rest  of  you  are  crazy.  I'm  the 
sane  man  to  save  what  I  can  and  make  off  while  I 
caif." 

"  And  do  you  think  this  a  manly  course  ?  "  asked 
the  Colonel,  gravely.  "  Suppose  all  should  run, 
who  would  fight  the  battles  of  the  South  ?  " 

"  Nobody,  sir ;  and  that's  just  what  I  want  I 
There  is  nothing  to  fight  for.  The  hot  heads 
among  us  have  set  up  a  shadow,  and  they  ask  us 
to  fight  for  it.  I  don't  care  to  stay  here  and  be 
shot,  and  neither  do  I  intend  to  stay  and  shoot  you 
and  my  other  honored  uncles.  This  Government 
satisfies  me,  and  why  sliould  I  risk  my  life  in  trv- 
ing  to  destroy  it  ?  I  have  anticipated  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's   probable   action    by    virtually   freeing   my 


GREAT   CHANGES.      .  225 

people.  Shall  I  leave  Zack  here,  or  take  him 
down  river  again  ?  " 

"■  Take  liim  away,  my  boy,"  said  the  Colonel ; 
"  if  he  talks  no  worse  than  his  master  does,  lie 
will  do  mischief  here." 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  say.  If  I  could  move  that 
old  stone  post,  Huggins,  I'd  buy  Zack's  wife  and 
set  them  adrift  to  shift  for  themselves.  And  now 
I  will  find  the  ladies  and  see  if  Julia's  aunt  will 
hasten  and  get  her  off  before  these  barbarians,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Hnggins  is  so  much  afraid,  steal  her 
for  her  beauty  !  " 

At  that  time  ladies  cared  less  for  an  elegant  and 
varied  trousseau  than  fur  personal  safety,  and  so 
the  gentleman  and  his  young  wife  were  very  soon 
on  a  ship  bound  for  Cuba. 

Zack  was  inquiring  about  the  different  regi- 
ments, having  resolved  to  "  fight  for  de  Lord  and 
freedom."  But  before  taking  this  step  he  went  up 
to  visit  his  wife  again.  In  his  usual  independent 
way  he  told  Huggins  that  slavery  was  dead  to  all  in- 
tents and  purposes,  and  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was  only 
waiting  a  little  while,  for  prudence's  sake,  to  make 
cut  all  the  free  papers.  He  said  lie  wanted  to 
settle  his  wife  in  a  little  room  of  her  own  before 
he  went  off.  But  Mrs.  Huggins  threw  herself  into 
hysterics,  and  Huggins,  pale  with   fear,  ran  into 


226  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

the  next  room,  turned  the  key  and  talked  about 
his  gun. 

Weza  refused  to  follow  Zack,  because  she  had 
given  her  word  to  remain  until  she  became  free ; 
and  she  felt  that  Jesus  was  watching  her  to  see 
if  she  kept  it. 

"-  AVell,  dat's  mighty  good  in  yer,  little  woman," 
cried  Zack,  "  but  yer  ain't  yer  own  master,  mind  ; 
for  de  good  Lord  has  sot  me  over  yer  to  be  de 
head  of  de  woman;  and  yer  only  a  poor,  weak 
creatur',  at  best.  If  I  takes  yer  off,  ye've  got  to 
go." 

Here  Mrs.  Huggins  screamed  with  fear.  The 
Colonel  and  the  judge,  with  their  families,  had 
fled  for  safety  into  the  very  bosom  of  the  foe  at 
Washington  ;  and  she  and  Huggins  were  the  only 
whites  left  in  the  neighborhood. 

"  Missus,"  said  Zack,  "  I  wants  my  wife  to  have 
a  little  rest  and  to  visit  some  of  my  old  friends 
and  hern  down  below.  As  she  won't  leave  yer 
'case  on  account  of  her  word,  I'll  take  her  for  a 
week ;  and  when  I've  gone  she  may  come  back 
if  she's  fool  enough  to  ! " 

"Yer  may  go,"  gasped  Mrs.  Huggins,  "but 
who'll  git  a  meal  of  victuals  while  yer  off?  " 

"  I'll  tell  de  boys  to  do  de  housework  and  wait 
on  yer  too,"  said  Weza,  trembling  in  every  limb. 


GREAT   ClIANCIES.  227 

"  Ilurry  up,  dar!"  cried  Zack,  a  little  sharply, 
to  Wcza,  who  fancied  she  should  be  hunted  and 
punislied  lor  running  off.  "  Go  up  stairs  and  get 
yer  clothes." 

xVt  the  sound  of  his  changed  voice  "  massa  "  and 
"  missus  "  darted  into  opposite  rooms  and  barricaded 
themselves  in.  Weza,  then,  according  to  orders, 
went  up  stairs  and  tied  up  a  very  small  bundle, 
which  she  threw  out  of  the  window  to  Zack.  On 
coming  down  she  stepped  to  the  door  of  ''  missus'  " 
prison  and  said,  "  Good-by,  missus,"  in  very  trem- 
ulous tones. 

"  Good-by,"  sobbed  missus.  "  If  yer  don't  come 
back  in  a  week,  Weza,  TU  turn  infidel  and  sceptic, 
and  I'll  say  there  ain't  no  such  thing  as  'ligion, 
and  that  church-member  folks  is  all  hypocrites, 
and  that  the  Bible  isn't  no  truer  than  Robinson 
Cruser,  —  I  will.  And  I'll  say  that  the  wickedest, 
lyin'est,  and  stealiu'est  people  ever  I  knowed  was 
them  that  prayed  and  sung  sams  !  " 

"  0,  missus,  never  say  dat,  for  de  Lord  lives, 
and  he  is  true  and  lovin'  whatever  ^ve  does,"  said 
the  little  brown  woman. 

Mrs.  Huggins,  who  now  saw  the  happy  pair 
departing,  called  out  after  tlrem,  "  Fm  in  a  fit, — 
a  hysteric  I  0,  o-o-o  I  I  can't  breathe  I  The  sava- 
ges is  comin'  I     I  hear  their  guns  !     I'm  all  alone 


228  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

with  no  wx)mankiiid  about  me  to  protect  mc. 
Them  sogers  will  carry  me  olT  and  make  a  harem 
out  o'  me,  like  the  king  ol"  the  Injees  does  out  of 
all  his  gocfd-lookin'  women  I  "  And  then  she  burst 
into  a  fit  of  violent  weeping. 

Huggins  was  .listening,  but  dared  not  leave  his 
retreat  till  sure  that  Zack  was  gone.  In  a  moment 
her  tone  changed,  and  he  heard  her  talking  calmly. 
Zack,  leaving  Weza  at  the  bars,  had  run  back  to 
the  house,  and  going  up  to  the  open  window,  said, 

"  Oh,  missus,  I  forgot  somethin'  I  brung  up  for 
yer ! "  And  he  drew  from  the  pocket  of  his 
blouse  a  pipe  he  had  bought  of  a  Dutchman  in  the 
city,  as  a  peace-offering  to  Mrs.  Huggins.  The 
china-bowl  represented  a  head  of  Punch,  his  face 
lighted  with  an  ecstatic  grin,  while  the  metal 
cover  was  a  gay  red  cap !  When  he  handed  it  to 
the  distracted  lady  it  produced  a  wondrous  effect 
on  her.  The  hysterics  fled,  and  she  gave  herself 
up  to  full  sympathy  with  Mr.  Punch,  laughing 
merrily,  and  asking  Zack  how  it  was  made 
and  what  it  cost.  ''  I  do  say,"  she  cried,  "  that 
ere  will  keep  me  'mused  till  Weza  gets  back ;  and 
1"11  never  forgit  that  of  yer,  Zack !  I'll  treat  her 
well  to  pay  ye  fo't,  I  tell  ye  ! "  And  again  she 
laughed  long  and  loud,  as  if  there  were  no  sorrow 
jior  fear  banc:' no:  ever  her.     What  was  civil  war  to 


GREAT  CHANGES.  229 

her  now?  What  was  tlic  fate  of  a  great  nation, 
or  the  destiny  of  a  stmgghng  race?  What  were 
desolated  homes  and  fields  covered  with  slain? 
She  had  a  pipe  with  Punch's  head  on  it,  and 
l)lenty  of  tobacco  to  sraol^e  in  it !  She  now  shook 
Zack  heartily  by  the  hand  and  charged  him  in  a 
most  friendly  tone  to  bring  Weza  back  soon ;  and 
then  sat  down  on  the  window-sill  to  try  tlie  ])ipc. 

Zack  and  Weza  looked  back  and  saw  Hoggins 
st-anding  by  her,  and  both  of  them  admiring  the 
worthless  thing  and  laughing  like  two  children; 
first  one  trying  it  and  then  the  other. 


CHAPTER  XYIII. 

FLEEING  BEFORE   THE   YANKEES. 

ZACK  and  Weza  trudged  several  miles  on  foot. 
They  had  money  to  pay  tlieir  fare  on  the  boat, 
but  so  strong  was  the  general  conviction  that  all 
travelling  negroes  were  runaways,  it  was  hard  for 
such  as  were  left  without  masters,  to  go  where 
they  could  find  work.  Even  those  wliose  owners 
had  given  up  hope  and  fled,  were  watclied  with 
jealous  eyes  by  the  planters  who  had  resolved  to 
stand  by  their  "  property  and  a  righteous  cause," 
for  it  made  their  slaves  restless  to  see  others  hold- 
ing wassail  in  their  master's  halls,  or  travelling  at 
will. 

After  a  series  of  trials  which  would  have  dis- 
heartened most  tourists,  but  which  only  amused 
them,  our  sable  friends  reached  the  great  city 
where  Weza's  childhood  and  youth  liad  been  spent. 
They  went  from  house  to  house  in  search  of  her 
old  friends,  but  death,  and  the  changes  brought  on 
by  war,  had  scattered  them  far  and  wide. 

230 


FLEEING   BEFORE   THE   YANKEES.  2ol 

After  some  clays,  they  found  an  aged  woman 
once  owned  by  Dr.  Percy,  but  who  retained  no  love 
for  the  name,  as  she,  too,  had  been  cheated  out  of 
freedom  promised  for  faithful  service  in  a  time  of 
great  domestic  sorrow.  She  fancied  she  could  tell 
Weza  all  she  wanted  to  know  about  the  little  boy 
who  went  with  ''  Massa  "  George. 

"  Bless  yer,  yes,  honey  ;  "  she  said,  speaking  as 
she  would  to  a  troubled  child.  "  I  know  heaps 
'bout  him,  and  a  little  prince  he  was,  too,  for  a 
slave-boy.  Yes,  yes,  dear.  First,  Massa  George, 
as  mean,  and  stingy,  and  small  a  soul  as  ever 
walked  'bout  in  a  handsome  body  and  fine  clothes, 
he  took  him  home  when  de  property  fell  to  him. 
He  tuk  every  thin'  he  could  lay  hands  on,  even  to 
the  doctor's  clothes,  and  a  paper  of  screws  and 
nails  that  he  hadn't  no  use  for  and  had  to  heave 
away  ;  well,  he  tuk  him  'long  when  he  weiit  home, 
honey." 

"  I  knowed  dat,  myself,  amity,"  replied  Weza, 
"  but  what  come  of  him  after  dat  ?  " 

"  Oh,  dat's  what  you  want  to  know,  is  it  ?  Well, 
we  heard  dat  he  love  him  just  like  he  was  his  own 
son.  He  play  with  him,  and  dress  him  up,  and 
teach  him  to  sing  and  fiddle  —  and  de  dear  knows 
what  all!  But  bimcb}^  a  lady  from  de  rice  coun- 
try was  up  dcre,  and  she  fell  dead  in  love  with  de 


2-32  OUT  OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

chile,  and  say  she  must  have  him  for  to  make 
sport  for  her  company.  She  offer  a  heap  of  gold, 
big  as  a  bushel  basket,  I  reckons,  for  him,  and 
Massa  George  up  and  sold  him  I  He  would  'a  dune 
de  same  if  it  had  been  his  own  chile  !  And  dat's 
what  come  of  de  little  beauty  !  " 

''  xVnd  where  did  de  lady  live,  aunty  ?  If  yer 
can  tell  me  dat,-l  can  hunt  him  up  yet,"  said 
Weza. 

"  Yes,  honey ;  she  live  in  a  place  dey  call 
Flo'dy,  whar  dey  kills  black  people  off  in  de  rice 
swamps.  Biit  bymeby  she  got  married,  and  move 
up  furder  North,  to  whar  de  savages  lives  dat's 
making  dis  yere  cruel  war  on  us,"  —  and  here  old 
Prudy  winked  at  her  guests,  confidentially.  — 
"  Whether  she  sold  de  boy  or  tuk  him  'long,  is 
mor'n  I  can  tell  yer.  So  dat's  what  come  of  de 
chile  ;  and  I  hopes  it  will  give  yer  a  thread  for 
to  find  him  by." 

Old  Prudy  had  gossipped  faithfully  all  her  life, 
and  she  usually  kept  the  run  of  the  sold  and  the 
dead  ;  but  fate  was  against  her  in  this  case.  She 
was  a  dumb  oracle  to  poor  Weza. 

"  Xow,  Weza,"  said  Zack,  one  day,  "  first  busi- 
ness, den  pleasure  is  my  rule.  I  gin  yer  a  long 
rope  to  search  for  de  boys,  and  I's  helped  to  de 
best  of  my  'bility.     We  can't  find  no  trace  on  'em. 


FLEEING   BEFORE   THE    YANKEES.  266 

Now  s'pose  we  i)ut  'em  back  into  de  hand  o'  dc 
dear  Lord  agin,  where  we  trusts  our  own  'mortal 
sperits  and  our  hves,  and  spend  de  rest  of  yer  fur- 
lough —  as  de  sogers  say  — havin'  a  good  time.  I 
wants  yer  to  visit  my  massa's  scattered-' bout-peo- 
ples, and  to  see  all  de  shops  and  de  big  ice-cream 
saloon,  and  go  to  de  black  churches  wliar  dey  pray 
so  loud  yer  can  hear  'em  a  mile,  and  to  see  de 
wild  beasts  —  if  dere's  any  'bout  just  now.  Try 
to  'member  what  I  always  tells  yer,  dat  it's  one 
thin'  to  pray  widout  ceasin'  for  what  we  wants, 
and  it's  another  to  tease  de  Lord  for  it,  and  to  fret 
at  him  if  de  answer  don't  come  just  in  our  way 
and  time.  Now  cheer  1143,  little  woman,  and  be 
happy.  Think  what  marcy  f!i"om  de  Lord  dat  yer 
husband,  'stead  o'  breakin'  his  back  in  de  rice 
swamps  or  de  cane  fields,  is  goin'  to  be  a  soger  of 
deLord!  'Fore  yer  .go  back  I'll  have  my  blue 
clothes  and  my  gun,  and  look  as  grand  as  anybody! 
I  reckons  I'd  make  poor  Massa  Huggins  shake 
in  his  shoes  if  I  could  go  up  dere  wid  U.  S.  on  my 
belt  and  a  gun  over  my  shoulder." 

"  What  does  U.  S.  mean,  Zack  ? "  asked  Weza. 

''Why,  chile,  is  yer  so  ignorant  as  dat?"  said 
the  wise  Zack,  looking  pitifully  down  on  her. 

"  I  heerd  massa  and  missus  tell  about  some 
black  folks  dat  run  off  and  fit  wid  de  North  ;  and 


234  OUT  OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

(ley  dress  'em  up  and  den  put  great  letters,  U.  S., 
for  '  ugly  sarpints,'  on  dere  belts !  Dey  said  dat 
was  all  de  thanks  dey  got  for  leavin'  dere  kind 
massas  and  jinin'  dereselves  to  savages." 

Zack  laughed  heartily  at  Weza's  simplicity,  and 
replied,  ''  I'm  'feared  dey'U  see  '  ugly  sarpints  '  on 
every  black  man's  belt  'fore  dis  yere  war  ends  !  " 
And  then  he  explained  the  signification  of  the 
letters,  and  how  the  country  got  the  playful  n^me 
of"  Uncle  Sam  ;  "  and  Weza  looked  up  to  him  in 
admiration,  as  to  a  very  great  and  wise  man,  and 
thought  that,  with  all  the  troubles  of  the  wilder- 
ness, she  was  yet  the  happiest  woman  in  the 
world  ! 

These  gala  days  had  flown  at  last,  and  the  time 
had  come  for  the  "  contrabands  "  to  be  armed  and 
equipi^^ed.  Weza  looked  proudly  on  Zack  as  a 
"  Union  soger,"  and  was  escorted  by  him  in  his 
new  dignity  to  the  boat,  loaded  down  with  little 
packages  containing  presents  of  a  very  simple 
character  for  herself  and  her  mistress.  Among 
these  was  a  pair  of  shoes  for  "  missus  ;  "  who  had 
told  Zack  in  confidence  ''  that  her  feet  was  clean 
on  to  the  ground,  but,  for  all  that,  she'd  rather 
had  the  funny  pipe  than  even  a  pair  of  new  shoes, 
for  a  present !  "  Zack  took  the  hint,  and  supplied 
the  demand  from  a  little  pursue  his  master  had 
given  him  at  parting. 


FLEEING    BEFORE   THE    YANKEES.  2o5 

;'  Now,  Weza,"  he  said,  on  the  deck  of  the  boat, 
before  saying  the  last  farewell,  ''  dese  is  no  times 
for  chicken  hearts,  either  'mong  men  or  women  ; 
and  1  don't  want  to  see  no  tears  in  yer  eyes  'l)0ut 
my  goin\  If  we  lives  to  get  through  dis  ycr  war, 
we'll  be  somebody  ;  and  if  we  dies,  den  our  people 
dat's  left  will  be  somebody  !  I's  goin'  to  fight  for 
de  Lord  and  for  my  people,  and  not  for  self  only  ; 
and  I  don't  want  to  have  him  see  ycr  a  gnunblin' 
'bout  it  I  If  yer'll  say,  even  now,  dat  yer'd  rather 
stay  here,  I'll  get  yer  a  little  room  and  settle  yer  ; 
but  if  yer'd  rather  go  back  to  old  missus,  go,  and 
stay  till  yer  tired.  Whenever  yer  wants  to,  yer  can 
leave  and  come  down,  and  Til  keep  dc  run  of  yer 
through  Luke,  dat  can  write  ;  and  I'll  send  yer 
•money,  too  ;  and  de  less  yer  cry  de  more  I'll  love 
yer  !  De  Lord  bless  yer,  dear  chile.  Good-bye  !  " 
And  he  ran  off  lest  his  heart  might  fail  him. 

The  little  woman  pursued  her  journey  alone  and 
in  tears,  though  her  grief  was  not  the  boisterous 
grief  of  other  days.  She  felt  that  in  giving  up 
Zack  she  was  helping  on  a  mighty  work  for  her 
people,  and  this  gave  strength  to  her  heart. 

When  Weza  reached  the  "  mansion  house"  she 
saw  a  wonderful  change;  it  seemed  to  have  suf- 
fered years  of  decay  since  she  had  left  it.  The 
front  windows  were  closed  up  in  the  rudest  pos- 


236  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

sible  manner  with  bits  of  broken  board  and  fence- 
rails.  Ploughs,  rakes,  harrow,  wheelbarrows,  old 
wagons  and  cart  wheels,  and  finally  a  bedstead, 
were  heaped  upon  the  ricketty  verandah  to  baiil- 
cade  the  front  door.  The  end  door  was  plugged 
up  by  a  grindstone  which  the  little  woman  could 
not  pass  ;  so  she  selected  a  long  pole  from  a  lot-  of 
rubl)ish  in  the  front  yard,  and  with  it  gave  several 
smart  raps  on  the  window  of  "  missus'  "  room. 
They  woke  an  echo  that  frightened  the  little 
woman.  Such  shrieks  and  groans  she  had  never 
heard  before  ;  but  it  only  took  a  moment  to  assure 
her  that  they  were  but  the  hysterical  demonstra- 
tions of  Mrs.  Huggins. 

"  Don't  be  skeart,  missus,  it's  only  me,  yer  own 
Weza,  dat  wouldn't  hurt  yer  for  de  world.  What 
on  arth  has  happened  since  I  been  gone  ?  Has  de 
sogers  been  long  by  dese  parts  ?  " 

Mrs.  Huggins  managed  to  climb  over  her  bed- 
stead, which  had  been  pushed  against  the  window, 
and  drew  out  a  nail  that  had  been  driven  in  over 
the  lower  sash,  —  a  poor  defence  indeed  against  a 
savage  horde,  such  as  she  was  looking  for  ! 

"  Clomb  right  in  here,  yer  dear  little  woman," 
sobbed  Mrs.  Huggins.  "  I  vow  I'm  more  beat  to 
see  yer  than  1  would  be  to  see  an  angel ;  aiid  a 
moughty  sight  pleaseder  !     I  never  believed  Zack 


FLEEING    BEFORE   THE    YANKEES.  237 

woukl  let  yer  come  back,  for  all  ycr  promising  ; 
no  'more  did  Iliiirgins.  Come  in  and  take  a  hold 
on  me  to  keep  down  the  shakin'  I  I  haint  eat  nor 
slep'  nor  nothin'  but  jist  only  smoke  and  shake, 
narvous-like,  for  eight'n  forty  hours ;  and  in  all 
that  are  time  yer  poor  master  haint  been  able  to 
do  nothin'  but  jist  to  drink  a  little  gin  and  shake 
too  !  Sich  times  as  we've  had  here !  Why,  the 
old  Involution,  they  tell  on,  warn't  nothin'  to  'em  ; 
and  them  that  put  through  so  much  for  freedom 
then  can't  hold  a  candle  to  us  !  If  ever  this  yere 
horrible  war's  over,  we're  goin'  to  'ply  for  a  pin- 
sion  to  pay  us  for  all  we've  done." 

'*  "Why,  missus,  what  has  happened  ?  What 
have  yer  done  ?  "  cried  the  little  woman,  with  real 
sympathy ;  for  though  she  prayed  for  the  downfall 
of  rebellion,  she  didn't  want  any  body  she  knew 
to  fall  down  with  it !  "  What  have  yer  been  a 
doin'  here  ?  " 

"  Why,  don't  yer  see  ?  We've  been  a  lumberin' 
up  to  keep  the  Yankees  out,  and  a  sufferin'  all 
sorts  p'  fear !  If  folks  don't  git  pinsions  for  bein' 
skeart  like  this  and  for  luggin'  furnitur'  xound  till 
they're  most  wore  up,  I  don't  know  what  they  will 
get  'em  fori  If  the  North  beats,  they  ought  to 
pinsion  every  man,  woman  and  child  to  the  South 
while   they   lives,   for   the    trouble   we've   took   a 


238  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

gettiii'  up  this  yere  war  and  keepin'  out  o'  dan- 
ger while  it's  goin'  on  !  " 

Weza  smiled  at  this  reasoning,  and  repeated  lier 
question,  "  What  was  all  dis  yere  rubbage  brung 
'bout  de  house  for  ?  " 

"  Well  —  I'll  —  tell  —  yer  all  'bout  —  it  —  when 
I've  filled — a  —  my  pipe  —  a,"  sobbed  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins,  wiping  her  tears  on  the  uplifted  skirt  of  the 
changeable  silk,  which,  with  the  crape  shawl,  she 
had  donned  several  days  before  to  receive  Yankee 
soldiers  in.  She  had  "heard  they  respected  ladies 
more  than  women  I 

After  smoking  a  few  minutes,  with  her  head 
thrown  back  on  one  chair  and  her  feet  resting  on 
another,  she  grew  calm  enough  to  tell  her  tale  of 
woe. 

"  Well,  one  night  jist  arter  yer  left,  that  hateful, 
contimptible  Luke  o'  the  judge's  come  driviri'  up 
here  in  a  gig  with  Scriptur'  Bill.  They  took  all 
our  men  into  the  corn-house  and  haranged  'em 
for  half  an  hour,  as  bold  as  if  there  warn't  no 
gentry-like  within  hearing.  Scriptur'  Bill  swore 
'em  on  a  book,  and  all  we  heerd  was  that  they 
wasn't  to  rob,  nor  burn,  nor  'stroy  us,  nor  the 
place  ;  but  to  show  theirselves  peaceable  citizens 
and  good  Christians  !  But  1  makes  sartin  he  whis- 
pered some  evil  in  there  ears  that  we  didn't  hear. 


FLEEING   BEFORE   THE   YANKEES.  239 

I  'spect  that  they  was  round  druramin'  up  a  regi- 
ment of  U.  S's.  to  kill  us  and  burn  the  plantation 
up  ! 

"The  minute  they  was  gone,  Obe  came  in,  and 
says  he,  '  the  North  is  a  marchin'  down  on  us,  and 
we  must  get  off  into  the  woods  moughty  quick 
ai-ter  dark,  and  hide  everythin'  we  got  there,  or 
they'll  steal  all  we  own,"  says  he,  — "  the  villyan  ! " 

"  So  at  it  we  went.  They  hauled  all  the  corn 
and  the  bacon  and  the  clothes  into  the  woods  and 
hid  them  wliile  I  packed  up  here  ;  and  then  they 
come  back  and  said  we  must  fly  for  our  lives  to  a 
place  they'd  found  whar  we'd  hide  up  safe  till 
daylight.  But  how  to  get  me  there  was  the  ques- 
"tion,  I  was  so  stiff  in  the  jints,  and  I  hate  to  move 
so  !  One  of  the  men  'posed  that  I  ride  a  hoss- 
back  on  Obe's  boss,  and  he'd  bring  it  back  for 
Olje  —  seein'  that  t'other  boss  was  dead  and  the 
mule  stole,  —  but  I  didnt  know  how  to  ride  a 
hossback,  and  didn't  want  the  trouble  o'  holdin' 
the  reins,  if  I  did.  So  Huggins — he's  a  power- 
ful genus  when  there's  any  contrivin'  to  be  done 
—  he  got  a  lot  o'  rope  and  mended  up  the  old 
broke-down  gig.  One  wheel  wouldn't  turn,  but 
only  dragged  along,  and  the  whole  consarn  went 
bumpyty-bump  !  bumpyty-bump !  enough  to  shake 
the  life  out  of  a  poor  weak  woman  like  me  !     Yer 


240  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

never  see  such  a  lookin'  set  as  we  was,  the'  I 
dressed  up  jist  as  if  I  was  goin'  to  quarterly 
meetin'  or  funeral,  in  these  yere  things,  and  I 
liaint  had  'em  off  since  !  I  wouldn't  go  round  the 
road,  no  how,  'fear  we'd  meet  sogers ;  and  when 
they  sot  out  to  coax  me,  I  went  off  into  hysterics, 
and  they  soon  come  to  my  tarms,  I  tell  yer !  I 
can  always  bring  yer  master  .'bout,  that  way.  So 
0])e  and  me  got  into  the  gig;  and  as  I- couldn't 
sleep  on  the  ground,  they  piled  up  a  feather  bed 
and  pillows  and  blankets  and  goody  knows  what 
all,  in  front  of  us  and  most  a  top  on  us,  till  we 
could  hardly  see  daylight  over  the  lieap ;  and  then 
we  set  off  over  the  old  cornfield,  the  rest  a  follerin' 
of  us  !  Such  a  lookin'  set  I  guess  yer  never  see  ; 
and  the  way  that  are  old  gig  scraped  and  groaned, 
and  the  way  that  boss  limped,  and  the  jigglety 
way  Obe  driv,  it  was  awful !  We  broke  down 
twice  and  had  to  be  tied  up  agin  ;  and  the  'mount 
on  it  was,  the  men  and  their  massa  "bout  carried 
us,  boss  and  all,  they  had  to  do  so  much  liftin'  and 
boostin'. 

''  Well,  when  we  got  into  the  woods,  the  things 
was  tuk  out,  and  I  concluded  artcr  all,  that,  as 
may  be  the  ground-  was  damp,  I'd  sit  still  in  the 
gig.  The  men  and  yer  massa  lay  down  on  the 
ground,  leavin'  Obed  in  the  gig  with  me  to  keep 


FLEEING   BEFORE   THE   YANKEES.  241 

watch.  He  didn't  onharness,  so's  to  be  ready  to 
start  any  minute  we  lieard  the  Yankess  a  comin ! 

"  Well,  I  and  yer  massa  fell  asleep,  ancf  we 
slcp'  like  stones  till  towards  mornin'.  I  woke  up 
feelin'  awful  stiff  in  the  jints  and  faint  for  a 
smoke.  I  looked  up,  and  there  was  yer  poor 
massa  on  the  ground  asleep  —  him  that  has  slep' 
in  a  mansion-house  so  long  —  and  not  another 
livin'  creatur'  within  sight  or  call !  I  woke  him 
and  he  looked  about,  but  they  was  all  gone ! 

"  Obe  had  ontackled  the  old  white  horse,  and 
put  the  eends  o'  the  shafts  on  two  stumps  and 
rode  off;  and  there  was  me,  sittin'  up  high  and 
dry,  a  mile  from  home ! 

"  Well,  we  looked  about,  and  them  thieves  had 
loaded  up  well  with  all  they  could  carry ;  and 
where  the  corn  and  the  bacon  was  hid  we  haint 
found  to  this  day,  and  never  shall !  I  believe  in 
my  heart  that  that  are  stilf  knee,  too,  was  all  a 
humbug,  for  the  fellow  walked  as  smart  as  any 
body  that  night !  " 

"  Well,  dere,  I  can't  believe  our  men  could  be 
so  trechus  !  "  cried  Weza.  "  If  dey  wanted  to  go, 
why  didn't  dey  say  so  and  walk  off  like  other 
black  folks  ?  But  dis  yere  was  none  of  Script ur' 
Bill's  doin's !  More  like  he  hcerd  o'  their  plans 
and  come  over  to  make  dem  'have  dereselves.     If 


242  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

I'd  been  here  I'd  a  told  yer  ycr  couldnt  keep  'em, 
for  dej's  all  flockin'  to  jine  de  regiments  ;  but  I'd 
looked  out  to  have  no  sich-like  work  as  dat, — 
poor  missus  !  "  said  AVeza. 

This  word  of  sympathy  opened  anew  the  flood- 
gates, and  "  missus,"  biting  hard  at  her  pipe  stem, 
sobbed  and  sniffled ;  and  dropping  her  silk  skirt, 
caught  up  a  corner  of  her  flower-decked  shawl  for 
a  pocket  handkerchief,  and  rubbed  her  poor  eyes, 
already  red  with  the  tears  of  a  week. 

"And  sich  a  —  tug  as  we've  —  had,  gittin'  — 
the  things  —  back,  and  —  blockadin'  —  the  house 
up, —  and — and — yer  massa — don't  b'lieve  there's 
ever  been  a  livin'  '  Yankee '  'bout  at  all !  "  sobbed 
poor  Mrs.  Huggins. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

GOOD   NEWS   FROM    ZACK. 

THE  scales  of  society  were  fairly  turned  now  in 
the  region  of  which  we  write.  The  Colonel 
and  the  judge,  with  others  of  less  importance,  but 
who  were  yet  the  superiors  of  Dave  Huggins,  had, 
with  their  families,  stepped  out  of  the  ascending 
scale,  and  thus  sent  these  poor  creatures,  l^den 

with  mortification  and  poverty,  down,  with  a  bump, 

ft 
into  the  mire  of  society. 

These  gentlemen  had  not  fled  from  terror  of 
their  own  slaves,  as  many  masters  had  done,  but 
rather  from  fear  of  the  Yankees,  and  from  weari- 
ness of  the  uncertainty  that  Imng  about  every 
thing  at  home.  They  had  no  heart  to  put  in  the 
ground  crops  which  aliens  might  gather,  nor  to 
feed  a  troop  of  blacks  who  would  walk  off  at  will 
to  fight  against  them.  Old  Cleo  lield  the  keys  of 
the  parlors  and  closets  for  Madam  Leon,  to  whom 
she  was  as  faithful  as  the  magnet  to  the  pole.  She 
locked   and   unlocked   the   corn    and    the   smoke- 

243 


244  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

houses,  and  gave  oiit  sn|^f>lies  according  to  orders. 
"  Freedom  or  no  freedom,  I  will  stick  by  yer, 
missus,"  old  Cleo  had  said.  "  Massa's  had  all  de 
corn  out  of  me,  and  he's  got  to  house  up  de  husk ! 
But  I'll  be  faithful  to  yer,  and  look  out  dat  others 
is  ;  but  yer  musu't  spect  me  to  hold  in  de  boys  if 
dey  wants  to  go  fight.  Dey  loolcs  on  de  Yankees 
hke  ten  thousand  Moseses  dat's  comin'  down  here 
into  Egypt  for  to  say  to  de  hard  old  Pharys,  '  Let 
my  people  go  ; '  and  if,  after  all  de  plagues  and 
cusses  de  Lord  has  sent,  dey  won't  do  it,  and  de 
people  walks  off  a  carryin'  de  gold  and  de  jewels 
with  'em,  why  den  don't  blame  me  I  I  warn  yer 
'fore  yer  go,  dat  if  the  time  comes,  and  de  Lord 
calls,  and  our  folks  goes,  I  shall  stand  on  de  ve- 
randy  and  wave  a  handkerchej',  and  shout  blessin's 
arter  'em  in  de  name  of  de  Lord  o'  Hosts !  And 
more,  if  de  sogers  come  down  on  us  a  hungry  and 
thirsty,  I  shall  feed  'em  and  drink  'em  out  o'  yer 
corn-bin  and  cofiee-pot,  —  I  shall !  So  now  don't 
let  nobody  cal^jne  a  thief  nor  an  unfaithful." 

"  Cleo,"  said  her  mistress,  ''  I'm  not  afraid  to 
trust  you;  do  the  best  you  can  with  the  people 
and  the  food  ;  and  if  we  ever  ^ome  home  again, 
you  shall  be  tenderly  cared  for  in  your  old  age. 
You  know  my  feelings  in  this  matter  —  I  would 
not  turn   my  hand,   if  by  doing  it  I  could  place 


GOOD   NEWS   FROM   ZACK.  245 

matters  back  where  thcj  were  before  this  trouble. 
God  rules  in  the  storm  as  well  as  in  the  sunshine, 
mammy,  and  I  only  desire  that  this  great  calamity 
may  \york  for  his  glory  and  for  the  good  of  your 
people. 

"  All  the  silver  and  valuables  are  put  away  in  a 
safe  place  ;  but  if  it  is  in  your  power  to  do  it,  1 
hope  you  will  take  care  of  the  furniture  and  the 
carpets,  so  that  the  house  may  be  neat  and  comfort- 
able when  we  return.  And  one  thing  more,  mam- 
my, don't  let  Zack's  wife  starve." 

"  All  dat  I'll  do,  dear,"  said  Cleo,  "  and  'ceive 
yer  bSck  wid  open  arms,  and  have  a  powerful  sup- 
per cooked  for  yer,  too.  I'll  promise  for  de  women 
dat  dey'll  stay  and  wait  on  dear  missus,  even  if  de 
men's  all  'way,  as  I  spects  sartain  dey  will  be  ; 
for  when  God  calls,  folks  has  to  step  quick  !  " 

And  according  to  this  promise,  Cleo  allowed  no 
servant's  foot  in  the  parlors  or  chambers.  She 
carried  the  keys  of  the  store-house  and  pantry  with 
great  dignity,  while  she  dispensed  their  treasures 
with  a  motherly  hand.  She  and  her  people  were 
now  in  the  upward  scale,  and  looked  down  pitifully 
on  their  poor  white  neighbors.  They  came  and 
went  at  pleasure,  having  meetings,  parties  and 
rides,  —  when  tliey  could  find  any  animals  to  draw 
them,  for  each  departing  hero  had  helped  himself 


246  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

to  somebody's  horse  or  mule,  and  those  that  re- 
mained were  sorry  looking  steeds. 

All  this  time  Huggins  and  his  wife  and  Weza 
had  been  living  on  very  light  fare.  The  poultry 
had  been  dispatched,  after  the  loss  of  the  corn  and 
bacon,  and  before  six  months  had  passed  —  after 
the  flight  of  the  men — they  came  to  absolute  beg- 
gary. At  first  Huggins  borrowed  from  small 
planters  and  even  poor  whites  ;  but  that  game  was 
now  played  out,  and  the  larder  was  empty.  There 
was  still  a  little  money  which  came  in  from  time 
to  time  from  the  sale  of  pine  wood  to  the  boats 
and  for  the  washing  Weza  did  for  the  boatmen. 
But  that  had  to  go  mostly  for  gin  and  tobacco,  "  to 
keep  up  the  sperits  in  these  yere  horrible  times." 
As  Weza  used  neither  of  these  delicate  luxuries, 
she  fared  rather  hard  in  the  division  of- the  money, 
and,  but  for  the  injunction  of  Madam  Leon  to 
Cleo,  she  would  have  starved.  She  had  a  free 
ticket  to  her  table  as  long  as  the  corn,  bacon,  and 
poultry  should  last ;  but  the  walk  was  long  and 
she  was  weak  and  weary.  All  the  work  now 
fell  on  her.  She  was  forced  to  draw  logs  from 
the  pine  grove  by  a  rope,  and  chop  and  split 
them  for  fire  wood.  She  had  to  gather  wild  nuts 
and  corn  shucks  to  feed  the  half-starved  pigs,  and 
do  the  work  of  the  house  —  such  as  it  was.     She 


GOOD   NEWS   FROM   ZACK.  247 

had  not  yet  recovered  from  the  effort  of  "  clariu' 
up"  after  the  bombardment.  Her  owners  wanted 
httle  more  than  their  stimulants  ;  for,  having  no 
exercise,  they  hardly  knew  the  pangs  of  honest 
hunger.  They  appeared  to  have  retired,  body  and 
mind,  like  bears  to  their  winter's  den,  to  live  on 
themselves  till  the  spring  of  good  fortune  should 
open  on  them  again. 

Every  now  and  then  Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke 
would  appear  suddenly  ;  and  after  that  there  were 
extra  luxuries  at  the  disposal  of  Mammy  Cleo. 
There  were  also  a  few  more  fathers  and  sons 
^'  missing ;  "  but  thus  far  not  a  Yankee  had  been 
seen  in  the  i^egion. 

One  afternoon,  as  Weza  sat  on  the  step  of  the 
kitchen,  with  her  face  buried  in  her  hands,  she 
saw  young  Prince,  whose  gay  spirit  it  took  more 
than  one  civil  war  to  crush,  coming  at  full  speed 
over  the  old  corn-field  with  a  soldier's  cap  almost 
resting  on  his  shoulders,  and  a  belt  with  the  brazen 
and  magic  U.  S.  glittering  on  it,  round  his  waist. 

When  he  neared  the  house  his  gait  changed  to 
that  of  a  solemn  march  ;  and  with  his  head  erect 
and  his  shoulders  thrown  back,  he  approached  her, 
touching  his  cap  with  a  military  air.    . 

"  Aunty  Weza,"  he  said,  solemnly,  ''  I's  sent 
over  to  tell  yer  to  come  to  our  house  to-night. 


248  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

Scrip'  Bill  and  Luke's  a  comin',  and  more's  goin' 
on  dat  I  mustn't  tell  on  !  Daddy's  home  for  ten 
days ;  and  dese  is  his  jewelry  1  got  on  my  head 
and  round  my  waist !  Nobody  aint  got  to  run  olF 
no  more,  and  dere  aint  no  more  contrabanges,  'case 
Massa  Linkum's  tarned  'em  all  into  freedmen  ! 
And  now  our  people's  goin'  to  have  plantations  o' 
dere  own,  and  be  dere  own  massas,  and  build 
houses,  and  never  be  sold  no  more,  and  have 
schools,  and  larn  books,  and  read  newspapers,  and 
all  kinds  of  fine  thin's!  What  think  of  dat, 
Weza  ? " 

"  Don't  b'lieve  a  word  on't !  Yer's  makin'  a  fool 
on  me  ! "  cried  the  little  woman,  her  eyes  bright 
with  excitement.  "  Who  send  dat  word  to  me, 
ha?" 

"  Scriptur'  Bill ;  and  he  see  Zack  four  days  'go, 
and  Zack  said.  Tell  Weza  '  God  bless  ye ; '  and  he's 
got  a  present  for  yer,  and  de  dear  knows  what  all !  " 
cried  the  boy. 

."  Well,  if  Scriptur'  Bill  send  dat  word  to  me, 
it's  de  livin'  truth,  for  he  don't  fool  nobody  nor 
make  jokes.  Tell  'em  I'll  be  dere  'fore  dey  'spects 
me,  and  here's  a  dime  for  yer,  ye  smart  old  head  ! 
Yer  can  carry  an  errand  as  good  as  a  post-office, 
yer  can  ;  and  I  guess  if  Massa  Linkum  had  yer, 
he'd  get   sarvice  out  o'  yer ;  yer'd   run  round  to 


GOOD   NEWSf  FROM   ZACK.  249 

pick  up  black  soldiers  better'n  Luke  or  Scriptur' 
Bill  docs ! " 

"  I's  goin'  to  waiU  for  yer,  Weza,  so's  to  have 
company  'cross  fields,"  said  the  boy.  And  the 
imaginary  warrior  sat  down  on  the  step  as  she 
turned  to  go  into  "  missus'  "  room  to  ask  leave  of 
absence. 

"  Don't  ax  her,  Weza,"  he  called  after  her  ;  "  just 
tell  her  yer  goin'.  Yer  got  no  more  need  to  ax  her 
den  she  got  to  ax  yer.  She  aint  yer  missus,  'case 
yer  a  freedmen  now  !  " 

''  Don  t  yer  be  too  peart,  chile,  but  'member  dat 
pride  goes  afore  destruction  ;  and  dese  poor  'flicted 
white  folks  is  de  Lord's  creatur's  as  well  as  us. 
He  don't  'spise  'em,  no  more  mustn't  we !  " 

But  for  all  this  expressed  humility,*  Weza  did 
hold  up  her  head  a  little  straighter  and  speak  in  a 
little  more  confident  tone  when  she  entered  "  mis- 
sus' "  room,  where  that  lady  sat  in  a  semi-conscious 
state  beside  her  lord,  who,  being  fully  awake  for 
once,  was  gallantly  holding  her  pipe  into  her 
mouth,  lest  her  teeth  might  relax  their  hold  and 
the  fire  drop  into  her  lap. 

'•'  Missus,  I'll  set  what  dere  is  on  yer  table, 
now,"  she  said,  "  as  I'm  goin'  over  to  de  Colonel's. 
Luke's  seen  Zack,  and  he's  got  a  message  for  me. 
KI  don't  come  back  to-night  don't  be  worried,  I'll 


250  OUT   OF   THE  'wilderness. 

be  here,  sure,  time  so  make  de  hoe-cakes  for  break- 
fast." 

"  The  land  o'  goodies  !  "  •exclaimed  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins,  opening  her  eyes  wider  than  she  had  in 
months.  "  That  aint  yer,  sure,  speakin'  up  that 
are  smart  way  !  Goin'  to  stay  all  night,  ha  ?  Just 
as  if  yer  hadn't  no  owners  left  yer !  Such  like  talk 
will  do  for  the  Colonel's  and  the  judge's  poor 
creatui^'s,  that  haint  got  no  kind  massas  and 
missuses  to  stand  by  'em  ;  but  for  yer  to  speak  up 
so  smart  arter  we've  took  all  the  trouble  and  run 
resk  o'  our  lives  to  stay  by  yer  and  pertect  yer,  — 
it's  too  much  !  'Sposewe'd  been  as  selfish  as  our 
neighbors  and  hadn't  cared  nothin'  'bout  yer,  and 
had  gone  off  to  Washington  or  Bosting  or  some 
other  o'  them  fureign  places,  to  enjoy  ourselves 
and  get  clear  o'  the  Yankees,  and  had  left  yer  to 
starve,  —  what  then  ?  No  ;  yer  can't  go  !  I  want 
yer  to  home,  and  to  home  yer'll  stay!  If  that 
mean,  creepin'  Luke  has  got  any  message  from 
Zack,  he  can  come  here  and  deliver  it  in  the  face 
and  eyes  o'  yer  massa !  But  he  won't  dare  to  do 
it,  not  he  !  The  very  sight  of  yer  massa  a  frown- 
in'  on  him  in  the  terrible  way  he  can  frown  when 
he's  forced  to  would  scatter  him  like  smoke  !  He 
wouldn't  be  nowhar  !  Go  out  into  the  kitchen, 
will  yer,  and  not  bother  me  !     I'm  tryin''to  see  if  I 


GOOD    NEWS    FROM    ZACK.  251 

can't  just  get  a  little  uap,  and  it  seems  as  if  the 
whole  world  had  sot  out  to  torment  me." 

By  this  time  "  missus  "  had  got  her  soiled  cap 
twisted  half  over  her  face  and  her  apron  up  to  her 
eyes,  preparing  for  a  scene.  Huggins  himself 
didn't  feel  quite  equal  to  the  coaxing  and  rubbing 
requisite  on  such  occasions,  so  he  said,  ''  Don't 
don't,  don't ! "  over  and  over  again,  till  Weza 
could  not  help  smiling.  The  cloud  blackened  and 
the  tears  began  to  fall. 

"K — yer — a  Christian"  —  sobbed  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins; —  "but  I  know  yer  aint  —  and  I  —  know  — 
there  aint  no  —  truth  —  in  'ligion  —  and  every- 
body's—  hypocrites  —  and  the  more  they  makes 
b'lieve  'ligious  the  more  they  lies  and  steals  —  and 
is  peart  —  to  their  owners  that's  fed  and  clothed  — 
'em  all  —  their  — lives  for  nothin'  and  "  — 

"  No,  missus,  yer  don't  b'lieve  no  such  like 
thing,"  said  Weza.  "•  Yer  know  yer  trusts  me 
more  for  my  lovin'  de  Lord  and  seekin'  to  please 
him,  and  yer  know  well  dat  de  best  and  truest 
black  folks  'bout  here  is  dem  dat  bears  de  name  o' 
Jesus.  But  if  yer  think  so  poor  o'  me,  and  is  only 
stafin'  hgre  to  take  keer  o'  me,  I'll  'lieve  yer  of  de 
burden  dis  yere  day.  I's  got  no  more  claim  on 
yer  for  a  mouthful  o'  hoe-cake,  not  if  I  starves; 
for  de  news  has  come  dat  Massa  Linkum  has  spoke 


252  OUT   OF   THE   ^V^LDERNESS. 

de  word  at  last  and  we's  all  as  free  as  de  birds  o' 
de  air !  " 

Dave  threw  up  his  hands  and  then  let  them  fall 
suddenly  into  his  lap,  exclaiming,  "  Well,  then, 
we  haint  got  no  country  I  Freedom  is  dead  ;  no 
republic  can't  live  I  Our  enemies  that  fit  agin  us 
in  the  Ri volution,  will  see  the  flag  o'  the  free  a 
dragglin'  round  in  the  mud  now,  and  crow  over 
us  !  Oh,  the  poor  black  folks  that  we  loved  so,  — 
what  will  come  on  'em,  with  no  massas  to  feed 
'em  and  take  keer  on  'em  !  " 

And  while  Huggins'  patriotism  and  philanthropy 
found  vent  in  these  heroic  words,  "  missus,"  hav- 
ing laid  down  her  Punch-pipe  carefully  on  the 
window  sill,  had  slipped  off  into  a  hysteric  fit,  or 
something  resembling  that  as  nearly  as  she  could 
manage  it,  and  was  shrieking  at  the  full  power  of 
her  lungs. 

"  Oh  —  that  are  wicked  —  President !  He's 
jined  hands  —  with  —  the  Yankees  —  and  took  — 
sides  agin  us  —  in  —  a-a-w-a  —  ah  —  in  this  —  yere 
war  !  Oh-oh-oh  !  It  was  our  war  —  oh-oh-oh  ! 
We  got  it  up  of  our  own  selves,  we  did  !  And 
arter  we  —  got  it  —  all  —  nicely  agoih'  —  they 
—  come — all  rigged  up  —  in  soger  clothes — they 
did — and  took  it — ^^  clean  out  o'  our  hands  and 
begun  to  fight  us,  they  did  I     Oh,  oh,  oh  !     That 


GOOD  NEWS  FROM  ZACK.  253 

wasn't  what  wc  got  np  tlic  war —  for  ;  it  —  was  for 
to  fight  them  ;  and  to  stop  their  —  breaking  up  a 
free — government;  and  now  see  what  they've 
done  ;  mined  us  chevehy  and  —  turned  all  —  these 
poor  —  creatur's  out  to  starve  in  the  roads  or  to 
cut  our  throats,  oh,  oh,  oh  !  " 

At  these  last  terrific  words  she  cast  a  look  of 
horror  at  Weza  and  shrieked  out,  "  She  wants  to 
kill  me  ;  don't  let  her  Huggins,  don't !  " 

Dave  evidently  saw  little  that  was  savage  in  the 
mien  of  Weza,  for  he  made  no  reply  except  to 
ask,  "  Hadn't  ye  better  take  a  little  assefidity,  or  a 
bit  of  op3aim  ?  " 

Weza  laid  her  hand  gently  on  "  missus'  "  shoul- 
der and  said,  "Yer  know,  missus,  dat  I  wouldn't 
harm  a  hair  o'  yer  head,  and  dat  'stead  o'  yer 
stay  in'  here  to  save  me  a  starvin',  I  left  my  hus- 
band down  below,  agin  his  will,  to  come  back 
and  take  keer  o'  yer !  And  I  mean  to  do  it  yet 
for  the  Lord's  sake,  to  show  yer  dat  I  fears  his 
name !  Yer  never  'bused  me,  and  I  won't  forsake 
yer !  If  I  should,  ye'd  starve  to  death,  sartin  ! 
Who's  walked  to  de  river,  hot  or  cold,  a  luggin' 
clothes  back'ards  and  for'ards  to  wash,  so's  to  git 
a  little  money  for  yer  ?  Who's  hauled  all  de  fire 
wood,  and  chopped  and  split  it,  and  waited  on  yer, 
hand  and  foot,  so's  you  haint  got  out  o'  yer  cheer 


254  OUT   OP   THE   WILDERNESS. 

no  mor'n  in  yer  best  days,  missus  ?  Think  o'  dafc, 
and  don't  call  me  ongrateful  and  say  ye're  afeared 
o'  my  killing  yer  ;  for  it  aint  true  I  " 

The  sudden  shock  produced  by  the  news  of 
emancipation,  being  over,  Mrs.  Huggins'  better 
feelings  resumed  their  sway.  The  fit  being  a 
counterfeit  one,  was  easily  gotten  over,  and  smiling 
a  most  ghastly  smile,  and  holding  out  her  hand, 
she  said,  "  Well,  if  ye're  truly  a  goin'  to  stick 
by,  I'll  forgive  yer,  for  arter  all  it  isn't  yer  fault 
that  yer  free,  but  that  are  Mr.  Lincoln's ;  and  what 
better  manners  could  a  body  expect  of  a  man  that 
was  brung  up  in  a  cabin  'stead  of  a  mansion-house  ? 
I'll  forgive  ye  for  bein'  free  if  yer  won't  go  over  to 
the  Colonel's  to  glory  'bout  it  and  to  crow  over 
us!  " 

"  Yes,  missus,  I  shall  go.  If  I  can  I'll  come 
home  to-night,  but  if  I'm  too  tired  111  sure  be  here 
'fore  ye're  up  in  de  mornin',"  said  Weza. 

"  Well  then,"  cried  the  elastic  "  missus,"  with  a 
smile,  "  take  a  bushel  basket  over  with  yer,  for 
old  Cleo  might  like  to  compliment  me  with  half 
a  dozen  eggs.  Tell  her  our  poultry  is  all  eat  up 
and  so  can't  lay  us  any,  glad  as  they'd  be  to 
do  it." 

Weza  smiled  and  took  the  hint,  and  in  a  few 


GOOD   NEWS   FROM   ZACK.  255 

moments  she  and  her  keen-witted  companion  set 
off  down  the  laua. 

"Phey  had  gone  but  a  few  steps,  however,  before 
they  heard  a  shout,  and  looking  back,  saw  Mrs. 
Hnggins  waving  her  husband's  vest  at  them. 

'^Tell  Cleo, "  she  cried,  "that  I'm  dreadful 
mise'ble  and  haint  got  no  appetite  for  liome 
victuals,  but  when  a  neighbor  sends  me  in  any 
little  delicacy  like,  I  have  a  powerful  appetite ! 
Tell  her  we've  got  lots  to  eat  at  home,  but  that 
strange  bread  and  cake  and  pie  or  even  bacon,  if 
it's  a  piece  of  a  pig  I  wasn't  acquainted  with, 
tastes  mighty  good  !  Madam  used  to  have  pre- 
sarves  and  pickles  and  jellies  and  such  like,  if  she 
didn't  take  'em  off  with  her  !  Make  my  compli- 
ments to  the  women,  and  tell  'em  I'm  moughty 
glad  Mr.  Lincoln  has  sot  'em  all  free.  Tell  'em  I 
think  a  heap  o'  him  and  that  I've  seen  his  pictur' 
in  a  newspaper  and  call  him  a  powerful  handsome 
man  I  I'm  moughty  glad  he  has  beat  in  this  yere 
war;  and  I  knew  he  would,  for  such  handsome 
men  always  get  their  own  way  !  Couldn't  you  find 
a  bigg^'  basket  than  that  to  take,  in  case  Cleo 
sends  me  three  or  four  fresh  laid  eggs  that  she 
don't  want  ? " 

Weza  smiled,  and  replied  that  this  one  was  large 
enough  ;  but  her  ''  peart "  young  champion  laughed 


256  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

heartily,  and  said,  "  I  reckons  Massa  Linkum's  job 
will  rout  her  up  out  of  her  cheer  or  else  she'll 
stnrve  I  Our  folks  says  yer  got  to  go  over  dere 
and  live,  else  yer'll  starve  too  !  '* 

"  No,  I  couldn't  do  nothin'  but  have  a  good  time 
wid  yer  ;  but  here  I  can  take  care  o'  two  poor  crca- 
tur's  dat  de  Lord  made,  and  dat  he  pities  !  And 
may  be  dat  way  I  can  do  a  little  for  him,  chile. 
But  when  my  husband  comes,  I  shall  go  to  him, 
dough  dere  was  a  mountain  of  Hugginses  piled  up 
'tween  us  !  De  Lord  gives  Zack  de  first  claim  on 
me  for  all  any  body  ;  but  still  I'd  feel  like  I  ouglit 
to  arn  money  to  feed  dese  poor  helpless  creatur's,  " 
said  the  little  woman. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

ENTERTAINING    SOLDIERS. 

WHEN  Weza  entered  the  colonel's  kitchen,  the 
scene  reminded  her  of  her  first  visit  there. 
The  same  grand  "  mammy  "  in  a  white  turban  sat 
in  the  old  arm-chair  giving  orders  to  the  same 
stirring  matrons  in  gay  head-gear,  who  were  bak- 
ing and  broiling  before  the  blazing  fire.  The  same 
number  of  little  blacks  crept  or  toddled  about  the 
floor,  stumbling  over  each  other  and  pulling  wool 
at  pleasure.  Only  the  strong  men  were  missing. 
They  had  "  gone  to  help  Massa  Linkum." 

Weza  dropped  into  a  chair,  weak  from  weariness 
and  want  of  nourishing  food. 

"  Well,  honey,"  asked  old  Cleo,  "  how  does  yer 
feel  arter  dis  mighty  news  o'  freedom,  ha  ?  " 

''I  feels  I'd  like  to  use- my  lib'ty  and  go  hunt 
up  Zack,"  replied  the  little  woman,  sadly.  "  I'd 
foUer  de  sogers  if  I  knowed  which  way  to  go,  and 

257 


258  OUT   OF   THE    WILDERNESS. 

I'd  tell  Massa  Linkum  all  my  troubles  and  beg  him 
to  let  me  keep  sight  o'  my  last  friend  ;  and  he'd 
do  it  too,  —  de  dear,  tender-hearted  man  dat  he 
is!" 

"  Well,  keep  up  heart,  honey,"  said  old  Cleo, 
"and  yerll  see  and  hear  wonders  bymeby.  We 
'spects  grand  company  to  eat  dis  supper,  —  a  hand- 
some young  leftenny  from  de  Bosting  country,  and 
four  sogers  in  blue  —  U.  S's,  yer  know,"  she 
added,  with  a  knowing  wink.  "  Dey's  round  'bout 
here  on  some  business  of  Massa  Linkum's  —  Lord 
bless  him  !  Scriptur'  Bill  come  'long  widout  dere 
axin'  him,  I  guess,  to  see  dey  didn't  do  no  mis- 
chief 'bout  here,  —  but  Luke,  he's  de  leader  on 
'em.  Dey're  arter  blankets  and  bacon  and  hoss- 
feed  and  such-like,  and  if  dere's  any  to  be  had, 
Luke  will  spy  it  out !  He  haint  never  forgive  his 
family's  being  sold,  and  he  sot  it  down  agin  de 
whole  Southern  country !  He  vows  hisself  de 
enemy  of  every  man  dat  has  one  dollar  'vested  in 
human  flesh,  'case  one's  held  up  t'other  and  kept 
up  slavery.  We  on  dis  plantation  knows  less  'bout 
de  cuss  den  most  on  'em ;  but  we  must  help  on  de 
good  work  all  de  same.  Dat's  why  we's  bringin' 
on  de  best  we's  got  to -feed  Massa  Linkum's  men 
for  him." 

"  Well,  but  tell  me  'bout  what  Prince  says.     If 


ENTERTAINING   SOLDIERS.  259 

we's  all  free,  why  don't  the  sogers  go  home  and  we 
go  whar  we's  mind  to  ?  "  asked  Weza. 

"'La,  honey,"  cried  old  Cleo  ;  "  it's  one  step  to 
take  a  chicken  out  of  de  hawk's  mouth,  but  it's 
another  to  put  an  eend  to  dc  hawk,  so  he  shan't 
fly  at  de  brood  agin !  And  dat's  what  de  sogers  is 
at  now.  We's  free,  for  sartin  —  dey  bring  de 
news ;  and  Bill  had  prayers  wid  us,  and  we  sung 
and  shouted  to  de  Lord  for  an  hour  dis  mornin' ! 
When  yer  buries  me  yer  can  sing. 

She  enter  heaven  -widout  a  chain, 
For  soul  and  limb  was  free ! 
Shout  glory,  Hallelujah! 

But  be  sure  to  say  dat  I  spent  my  life  wid  de 
colonel  and  madam,  'case  I'm  proud  o'  dat!'''' 

"  What's  de  good  o'  being  free  if  I  can't  live 
wid  Zack  ?  "  asked  Weza,  mournfully. 

"  You  can  live  with  him,  honey  ;  dis  war's  goin' 
to  be  over  quick,  now ;  and  den  we'll  all  meet  our 
friends  agin  and  have  a  little  heaven  down  here 
'fore  we  go  home  to  de  big  one  above,"  replied 
Cleo. 

"  Here  !  "  cried  a  stout  matron,  "  dat  dear  crea- 
tur'  is  about  starved.  Don't  wait  for  de  supper, 
give  her  a  cup  o'  coffee  and  some  bacon  and  eggs." 

And  so  Weza  was  served  bountifully  at  a  little 


260  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

tabic ;  and  the  effect  produced  on  her  spirits  was 
wonderful. 

Hungry  people  can  never  face  the  ills  of  Ufe 
bravely.  When  one  has  •  great  things  to  do  or 
dare  he  should  be  well  fed  before  his  mission  is 
made  known  to  him.  Many  an  exploit  has  failed 
because  entrusted  to  a  man  faint  from  toil  or 
hunger.  As  wine  and  oil  make  the  heart  glad 
and  the  face  to  shine,  so  do  the  more  substantial 
blessings  of  the  board  strengthen  the  courage  and 
raise  the  hopes  of  weak  man. 

Weza  had  scarcely  finished  her  meal  when  the 
tramping  of  horses  drew  all  the  women  to  the  door. 
There  was  a  gay,  boyish-looking  officer  on  ^  good 
horse,  and  four  mounted  privates  behind  him, 
while  Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke  brought  up  the  rear 
seated  on  one  mule,  and  a  sorry  specimen  of  the 
despised  race  he  was,  too  ! 

"  Sit  in  yer  saddles,  gen'l'men,"  cried  Cleo, ''  and 
ride  round  to  de  front.  I'll  onlock  de  big  door  and 
'ceive  yer  dar,  like  I  told  missus  I  would.  Massa 
Linkum  sha'n't  never  say  dat  Mammy  Cleo  took 
his  boys  into  de  kitchen,  nor  yet  into  de  eend  door, 
when  she  held  de  keys  of  de  mansion  house  !  " 

The  parlors  were  thrown  open  and  the  white 
folks  let  in,  but  Bill  and  Luke  and  all  the  sable 


ENTERTAINING    SOLDIERS.  2G1 

family  were  kept  in  the  big  hall,  "  to  save  de  car- 
pets/' 

*'  Well,  aunty,"  cried  the  boy-lieutenant,  "  we're 
starving  ;  can  you  give  us  some  supper  ?  " 

''  Yes,  thank  de  Lord,  I  can,  and  I  can  send  a 
few  pounds  of  real  Java  coffee  to  Massa  Linkum 
when  yer  go  back  to  him."  They  all  labored 
under  the  delusion  that  Mr.  Lincoln,  whom  they 
had  sainted  by  their  love,  was  every  where  at 
once  ;  ruling  in  Washington,  recruiting  in  Boston, 
and  fighting  at  the  front  of  every  battle. 

"  Well,  I'll  carry  the  coffee  to  him,"  S|^id  the 
young  man,  smiling  ;  "  but  let  us  have  the  supper 
now." 

In  a  few  minutes  they  were  seated,  according  to 
military  etiquette,  at  a  sumptuous  supper  for  those 
days,  liiving  four  waiters  to  a  man. 

"  Aunty,"  cried  the  lieutenant  to  old  Cleo,  "  sit 
down  here  and  pour  my  coffee.  I  want  to  talk 
with  you  so  as  to  tell  Mr.  Lincoln  about  you  when 
I  see  him.     How  do  you  like  the  war  ?  " 

"  I  don't  like  blood  nor  sorrow,  no  way,  chile !  " 
replied  Cleo ;  "  but  when  folks  will  pull  a  house  * 
down  spite  of  all  dere  friends  says,  I'm  glad  if  it 
falls  inard  and  destroys  dereselves 'stead  o'  fallin' 
outard  on  de  peaceful  ones  dat's  try  in'  to  save  'em. 
But  de  innocent  must  suffer  wid  de  guilty,  always  ; 


262  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

SO  heaps  o'  holy  blood  has  been  shed  wid  dere  own, 
but  de  Lord  has  'venged  it,  and  now  it  has  brung 
de  blessin',  and  it  shall  be  told  on  while  de  world 
stands,  and  arter  dat,  too,  —  dis  blood  o'  de 
martyrs  I  Do  yer  love  de  Lord,  honey  ? "  she 
asked,  looking  earnestly  into  the  kind  brown  eyes 
before  her. 

A  blush  tinged  the  embrowned  cheek  of  the 
youth  as  he  replied,  with  a  forced  smile,  "  I  love 
my  country,  aunty,  and  I  couldn't  rest  till  the 
curse  of  slavery  was  removed  from  her,  that  she 
might  hold  up  her  Lead  among  tl*  nations." 

''  Well,  dat's  very  pretty  talk  ;  but  I  axed  yer 
do  yer  love  de  Lord  ?  " 

Every  eye  was  bent  on  the  young  man,  who 
quailed  beneath  the  searching  glance  of  this  poor 
old  negress.  w 

"  Come,  now,  aunty,"  he  said,  "  don't  question 
me  too  closely.  I  came  here  to  get  some  supper, 
and  not  to  say  my  catechism." 

"Do  —  yer  —  love  —  de — Lord  —  sonny  ?  "  per- 
sisted Cleo,  in  an  emphatic  tone. 

"  My  mother  does,  and  she's  praying  that  I 
may,"  said  the  young  man,  solemnly. 

"  Vv'ell,  den,  dat  means  yer  don't  love  him  yer- 
self.  How  dare  yer  go  into  battle  or  how  dare  yer 
sleep,  till   yer   at  peace   wid  him  ?     Dis  freedom 


ENTERTAINING    SOLDI EliS.  263 

dat  yc've  got  for  us  is  a  powerful  thing ;  but  let 
me  tell  yer,  sonny,  it  wasn't  so  hard  for  us  to  be 
in  slavery  to  man  for  a  little  season  as  it  is  for  yer 
to  be  in  bondage  to  Satan  forever !  Now  dat  yer 
got  US  free,  tarn  about  and  pity  yerself,  chile,  and 
fight  wid  de  big  enemy  o'  souls  till  yer  is  sot  at 
liberty,  too  ! " 

"  That's  just  the  way  my  mother  talks,"  the 
young  man  replied,  "  and  I  thank  you  for  your 
advice.  As  soon  as  supper's  over,  I  want  you  to 
give  me  all  you  can  out  of  this  house  for  my  poor 
Yankee  boys  that  are  suffering  hunger  and  naked- 
ness for  your  people.  Can  you  give  me  some 
blankets  for  our  horses  ?  " 

"  Mought  be  a  few  old  ones,"  replied  Cled. 

"  How  about  bacon  ?  " 

"  I'll  go  halves  wid  yer,  but  it's  drawin'  to  a 
close,  I  tell  yer." 

"Chickens?" 

"  Take  'em  all  and  give  dem  to  Massa  Linkum." 

"  Any  horse  or  mules  on  the  place  ?  " 

''  Our  boys  didn't  leave  not  a  single  huff  when 
•dcy  went.  Took  all  we  had  and  horrotved  two 
more,"  replied  the  old  woman,  with  an  arch  smile. 

"  Any  beef  left  ?  " 

"  Yes,  got  one  cO\v  to  feed  desc  babies,  and  dat 
yer  can't  have,  no  how  I     I'll  fight  for  de  babies, 


264  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

for  Ts  bound  dey  shall  live  to  know  what  freedom 
is ! " 

"  What  have  you  got,  aunty  ?  " 

"  Well,  I's  got  a  heap  o'  old  Java ;  massa 
bought  two  whole  bags  short  time  'fore  he  go." 

"  That's  what  our  boys  want  more  than  all. 
Any  tobacco?  " 

''  Yes,  dere  is  some,  and  yer  welcome  to  it,  for 
it's  nasty  stuff,  any  way  ;  and  Christian  sogers 
from  such  a  country  as  Bosting  is  ought  to  be 
ashamed  to  use  it !  It's  bad  enough  for  poor  ig- 
norant black  men  —  missus  never  let  her  women 
touch  it ;  yer  may  take  what  dere  is  and  welcome." 

"  You  have  plenty  of  carpets  here.  They  would 
make  noble  blankets  for  horses  and  men,"  replied 
the  officer. 

"  Yes,  but  dey  won't,  do*.  I  hold  de  keys  in 
dis  house,  chile  ;  and  Yankee  or  no  Yankee,  yer 
under  Cleo's  thumb  now.  Me  and  my  women 
could  manage  yer  if  yer  sot  out  to  master  us  ;  and 
Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke  wouldn't  dare  to  raise  a 
finger  to  help  yer  I  But  'member,  I've  fed  and 
drunk  yer  —  dat  is  my  massa's  enemies  —  so  be 
grateful,  and  don't  be  too  graspia'.  Be  a  man,  if 
yer  aint  a  Christian  I  " 

"  So  I  will,  auntie,"  said* the  youth,  smiling! 
"  And  now  where  are  you  going  to  put  us  for  the 


ENTERTAINING   SOLDIERS.  265 

night  ?  We've  got  more  work  to  do  in  this  neigh- 
borhood to-morrow." 

"  I'll  put  yer  in  the  best  beds.  Ycr,  dat  is  de 
geuTman  of  de  lot,  shall  have  de  big  company- 
room,  and  I'll  settle  de  others  mighty  comfort'ble. 
De  house  —  all  but  my  missus'  room  —  is  at  yer 
'sposal ;  but  yer  got  to  mind  me !  " 

The  young  officer  and  his  men  were  no^v  re- 
freshed and  in  very  good  humor  ;  so  they  snnled, 
and  promised  to  obey  her  as  if  she  were  their 
colonel. 

"  Is  dere  any  Christian  'mong  dese  men,  son- 
ny?" asked  the  old  woman. 

"That  tall  fellow  there— 'long  Dick,'  the 
soldiers  call  him  —  is  a  real  saint,  aunty.  I  often 
hear  him  readi^ig  and  praying,  and  exhorting  the 
men  in  camp.  You  don't  want  to  keep  him  here, 
I  hope,  for  I  can't  spare  him." 

"  No,  I  wants  him  to  have  a  prayer  'fore  we 
goes  to  bed.  Scriptur'  Bill,  here,  can  pray  as  pow- 
erful as  any  body,  but  may  be  yer  and  yer  men 
would  have  more  respect  for  a  white  man's  prayer ; 
so  we'll  ask  dis  gen'l'man  for  to  lead  us,  and  den 
we'll  sing, 

'  De  year  of  Jubilee  has  come, 
De  Lord  has  bruug  his  people  home.'  " 


2B6  OtJT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Well,  the  boys  will  stay  and  help  you,  aunty," 
said  the  young  man  with  a  side  look  at  his  soldiers, 
"  and  I'll  go  out  and  look  round  the  place  a 
little." 

''  No,  no,  honey,  yer  won't  look  round  'bout  no 
place,  while  we's  cryin'  to  de  Lord  to  have  massy 
on  yer  and  to  set  yer  free  from  de  slavery  of  yer 
massa  Satan !  Sit  right  down  dere  in  dat  arm- 
cheer,  and  'member  dat  yer  in  de  presence  o'  de 
Lord  de  Judge,  well  as  a  lot  o'  poor  black  folks." 

The  lieutenant  had  taken  up  his  cap  to  go  out, 
but  he  laid  it  down  again  and  said,  pleasantly, 
"  Well,  if  yer're  at  the  head  of  the  troop,  aunty,  I 
must  submit." 

Long  Dick,  although  somewhat  daunted  by  the 
presence  of  the  officer,  read  a  Psalm,  and  then 
prayed  fervently  for  the  country,  the  President  and 
the  dear  ones  far  away  ;  and  at  length,  growing 
bold  at  the  mercy  seat,  he  offered  a  most  tender 
petition  for  their  dear  young  officer,  who  had 
treated  them  all  with  a  brother's  kindness,  asking 
for  him  the  richest  of  earth's  blessings,  and  above 
all  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  He  had  begun  to 
pray  for  those  before  him  whose  fetters  had  just 
been  broken,  when  Cleo  interrupted  him,  saying, 
with  true  loyalty,  "  Stop  dere,  brother,  yer  forgot 
to  pray  for   de  massa  and  missus  of  dis  house, 


ENTERTAINING   SOLDIERS.  267 

dat's  been  like  a  fiUher  and  mother  to  ns  dese  long 
years  !  Ax  do  Lord  to  bless  dem  wid  every  blessin' 
dot's  worth  bavin',  here  and  beyond.  Missus  is  a 
saint  on  arth  now,  but  massa,  he's  much  cumbered 
'bout  his  crops  and  his  money,  and  he's  rebellious 
agin  dis  yere  war,  do  he  knows  in  his  soul  dat  it's 
just  and  right  !  Pray  de  Lord  to  bring  him  down 
humble  to  his  feet,  and  to  reward  him  for  his  kind- 
ness to  us  and  to  all  de  poor  'fflicted  black  folks 
on  other  plantations." 

This  episode  caused  no  mirth,  and  scarcely  a 
head  was  raised  till  the  soldier,  thus  instructed, 
ended  his  fervent  prayer. 

When  Cleo  had  gone  off,  candle  in  hand,  to  show 
the  lieutenant  to  his  room,  Luke  delivered  his 
message  from  Zack,  and  gave  Weza  a  five  dollar 
bill  from  him,  with  charges  to  keep  it  for  her  own 
comfort  and  not  to  feed  her  missus  with  it. 

"  Don't  forget,  Luke,  "  said  one  of  the  soldiers, 
"  that  you  are  to  take  us  to  the  '  mansion  house ' 
you  told  us  of.  If  we  get  nothing  else,  we'll  have 
some  sport.  I'd  like  to  set  those  old  bones  to 
work  again' barricading  against  the  Yankee  sav- 
ages." 

"No,  gen:rman,  "  cried  Weza,  ''-  please  don't  do 
no  such  foolish  thing.  Yer  wouldn't  give  ten  dol- 
lars for  aU  in  de  house  ;  so  dere's  no  use  skearin' 
de  poor  creatur's  !  " 


268  OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS. 

"  Our  orders  are  to  go  to  every  house,  "  replied 
one  of  the  men. 

xVt  grey  dawn  poor  Weza,  accompanied  by 
Prince  carrying  a  well  loaded  basket,  made  her 
way  home.  She  stirred  up  the  family,  and  after 
feeding  them  well,  l^roke  the  news  that  the  Yan- 
kees were  coming,  and  advised  them  to  receive 
them  kindly  and  to  offer  them  any  thing  they 
wanted  —  a  very  safe  offer. 

Instead  of  being  frantic  with  alarm,  as  she  had 
expected,  "  missus  "  seemed  quite  pleased  with  the 
idea  of  the  visit,  as  she  felt  safe  under  the  patron- 
age of  TVeza.  She  asked  for  the  loan  of  her  pink 
calico,  Zack's  parting  gift,  remarking  that  as  it  was 
half  a  yard  too  short,  she  would  sit  still  all  the  time 
they  stayed  and  then  it  wouldn't  show.  So  she 
was  gotten  up  as  well  as  possible  in  the  borrowed 
dress  and  the  crape  shawl,  and  sat  waiting  in 
state  ;  but  poor  Huggins  had  no  body  to  borrow 
from,  and  being  out,  both  at  "knees  and  elbows,  he 
took  to  the  woods  for  privacy. 

When  the  officer  and  his  men  entered,  however, 
Mrs.  Huggins's  courage  'gave  way  and  she  turned 
deadly  pale.  She  was  soon  reassured  by  the  pleas- 
ant face  of  the  lieutenant  and  the  civil  behavior  of 
the  men,  and  by  seeing  Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke  in 
the  rear ;  for  she  knew  they  would  not  look  on 


ENTERTAINING   SOLDIERS.  269 

quietly  and  see  her  murdered.  Ere  long  she  got 
strength  to  converse  with  the  officer  and  to  answer 
his  questions  about  blankets  and  bacon,  horses 
and  mules,  whicli  was  easily  done  by  the  use  of 
one  little  negative  !  She  told  them  that  she  and 
her  husband  —  who  had  gone  to  the  Bend  on  busi- 
ness, and  would  be  mighty  sorry  to  miss  their  visit 
— were  both  Union  men,  and  that  they  had  sent  off 
all  their  corn  and  bread  to  the  U.  S.'s  long  ago  ; 
and  that  was  why  they  were  so  poor  now.  And 
then  she  showed  them  her  Punch  pipe  and  'offered 
each  of  them  a  smoke  I 

And  while  the  men  were  amusing  themselves 
with  her  outlandish  appearance  and  conversation, 
Luke  was  at  the  door  writing  a  letter,  at  Weza's 
dictation,  to  Zack.  He  took  a  board  across  his 
knees,  laid  a  sheet  of  paper  on  it,  and  putting  his 
pencil  into  his  mouth  between  every  two  words, 
wrote  : 

Mi  dere  husbun 

Thank  God  yer  well  and  hav  got  lib'ty  for 
our  pepel,  ax  massa  linkin  ef  he  wunt  let  yer' 
com  liom  case  i'm  so  lonsom  tell  him  i  los  de 
boys  and  dat  i  aint  strong  i  been  in  de  wil'ness 
mostly  senc  yer  been  'way  but  al  times  i  thank  de 
Lor'  dat  i  got  him  and  yer  mor  tim  i'm  way  fnun 
yer  more  i  loves  yer  i  wud  creep  on  my  knees  all  do 
way  to  git  whar  u  is  but  i  cant  its  so  fur  and  Ink  sav 


270  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

womun  can't  go  i  counts  de  minets  on  de  ole  clock 
till  yer  cums  we's  orful  poor  but  curnul's  folks  sens 
me  thins  ur  luvin  wif  Weza 

Tliis  was  a  mighty  effort  both  for  the  dictator 
and  the  amanuensis  ;  and  poor  Luke,  after  folding 
the  epistle  and  putting  it  into  his  breast  pocket, 
wiped  his  face  and  drew  a  long  breath,  as  if  he  had 
been  chopping  hickory  wood. 

There  being  nothing  worth  carrying  off  the 
place, ^he  party  soon  withdrew,  leaving  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins  charmed  with  the  Yankees.  She  was  amazed 
to  find  they  looked  so  much  like  other  men,  and 
declared  that  if  she  had  met  them  on  the  road, 
without  blue  clothes  and  U.  S.'s  on  'em,  she  never 
should  a  knowed  they  wasn't  gentlemen — just  like 
the  chevelry,  mostly." 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

DEEPER  IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 

THE  darkness  increased  as  the  night  wore  on 
towards  our  country's  glorious  morning.'  Want 
began  to  thin  off  the  blacks  on  the  plantations. 
Tliey  all  hoped  that  in  change  of  place  there  might 
be  relief.  The  Colonel's  women  and  two  old  men 
had  put  crops  of  corn  and  vegetables  into  the 
gi'ound,  and  managed  to  feed  two  or  three  hogs 
and  a  score  of  hens,  and  had,  in  other  ways,  nobly 
resisted  the  evils  brought  on  them  by  the  wrong 
doing  of  others.  And  amid  all  then*  toil  and  hard- 
ships, they  had  remembered  Weza  and  shared 
their  loaf  with  her,  taking  care,  however,  that  she 
should  eat  what  they  gave  her  under  their  eye,  lest 
she  might  give  it  fo  "  masssa "  and  '^  missus," 
whom  they  would  gladly  have  seen  starving  for 
their  laziness. 

But  the  hour  had  come  wlicn  these  humble  her- 
oines could  do  no  more  with  such  limited  means. 

271 


272  OUT   OF   THE   ^MLDERNESS. 

Winter  was  approaching,  and  there  was  scarcely  a 
rag  left  wliich  bore  the  name  of  clothing,  and  the 
state  of  the  corn-bin  and  bacon-house  foreboded 
famine.  More  than  one  of  the  number  had  hinted 
that  now  all  the  blankets  were  used  up  they  might 
make  clothes  for  themselves  and  children  out  of 
the  parlor  carpets.  But  Cleo,  who  had  already 
given  all  the  poorer  ones  to  the  soldiers,  rebelled 
against  sacrificing  these.  ''  I'd  be  so  proud,"  she 
said,  "  if  our  folks  should  come  back  and  say,  '  See 
how  faithful  Cleo  has  been  ! '  But  yer  strong  ones 
all  go  down  river  and  get  work,  and  I'll  stay  wid 
old  Polly  and  Cherry  and  take  keer  on  de  old  men 
and  de  young  fry.  Dat'll  make  de  corn  go  furder, 
and  yer  can  arn  money  for  clothes  ,  and  bymeby 
dis  yere  war  will  be  over,  and  den  we'll  eat  as 
much  as  we  wants.  I'll  stan'  guard  over  de 
babies  and  all  de  chil'en  whiles  ye's  gone,  for  I's 
bound  dey  shall  live  to  taste  freedom." 

The  women  yielded  to  this  advice,  and,  with 
Chrissy  for  their  leader,  were  soon  tying  up  their 
very  small  bundles  to  set  off,  hoping  to  induce 
Weza  to  accompany  them. 

Just  then  Luke,  who  was  always  scouring  the 
country  on  some  mysterious  errand,  rode  up  on 
the  horse  of  a  poor  fallen  confederate  officer. 

After  hitching;  him  to  a  ring  which  held  one  end 


DEEPER   IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  278 

of  tlio  clothes  line,  lie  went  into  the  kitchen  and 
sat  down  very  solemnly.  He  took  a  handful  of 
change  fi'om  his  pocket  and  gave  it  to  old  Cleo, 
saying,  '^  Here,  mammy,  de  boys  sent  dis  to  yer  to 
keep  de  folks  'live  till  dey  gets  back,  — which 
looks  to  be  mighty  quick  now.  We'se  had  a  pow- 
erful big  fight,  and.  Oh  Lord,"  he  cried,  throwing 
up  his  hands  towards  heaven,  "  it's  cost  us  dear  I  " 

'^  Luke,  yer  as  white  as  an  Injun,"  cried  one  of 
the  women.  "  I  makes  no  doubts  but  de  rebs  has 
whipped  us  Yankees  and  will  tarn  round  now  and 
'slave  us  all  agin.     Speak  out  de  worst !  " 

"  No,  no,  dat  isn't  so.  We's  got  our  liberty  for 
sure,  but  we's  lost  Zack  !  " 

The  women  groaned  and  called  on  God  "  to  pity 
de  poor  lovin'  heart  dat  would  now  be  more  broker 
den  ever  before." 

"Luke,"  cried  Cleo,  "I  don't  b'lieve  Zack's 
dead." 

"  Yes,  mammy,  shot  through  de  heart ;  dat  was 
de  only  place  dey  could  shoot  him  in,  he  was  so 
tough,"  said  Luke,  with  a  mournful  shake  of  the 
head. 

"  Zack  am  not  dead,"  replied  old  Cleo,  positively. 

"De  man  dat  fit  by  his  side  and  sec  him  fall 
told  me  dat,  and  he's  a  true  man,"  said  Luke. 

"  He  aint  truer  den    de  Lord,  Luke ;  Zack's   a 


274  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

livin',  I  knows.  I  axed  de  Lord  to  save  all  our 
boys  and  bring  'em  back  to  us  when  de  war  was 
over.  I  hear  a  Yoice  say  in',  '  'Cordiu'  to  dy  faith 
shall  it  be  unto  deb.'  De  Lord  gin  me  a  promise 
for  Zack  in  de  dark  night  when  I  humbled  my  soul 
'fore  him  wid  fastin'  and  prayer  ;  and  do  yer  think 
he's  goin'  to  break  his  promise  ?  No,  Luke,  Zack's 
a  praisin'  of  de  Lord  dis  night  some'eres  ;  may  be 
in  hospital,  may  be  in  prison,  but  he  aint  dead." 

Luke  pressed  the  matter  no  farther,  but  it  was 
evident  that  old  Cleo's  faith  did  not  extend  to  him 
or  to  the  women. 

It  is  vain  to  attempt  any  description  of  the 
grief  of  the  stricken  wife  when  Luke  told  her  that 
her  last  friend  was  gone.  After  the  first  shock  — 
by  which  Mrs.  Huggins  was  as  much  overcome  as 
herself — she  said,  "  Well,  Luke,  de  day's  a'most 
done  wid  me,  and  I'll  soon  go  to  Zack.  Thank  de 
Lord,  and  tell  all  de  sisters  to  thank  him  dat 
when  chil'en  and  husband's  all  tuk  away,  I's  got 
Christ  left.  I'll  lean  on  him  alone  now  while  I 
stays  in  de  wild'ness,  and  I'll  lean  on  him  goin' 
through  Jordan.  0,  brother  Luke,  what  do  poor 
folks  do  dat  hasn't  got  any  Jesus  to  lean  on  when 
all  else  is  tuk  away  from  dem.  Oh,  how  beau'ful 
heaven  must  be  to  de  happy  souls  dere  now  dat 
Zack's  in  it." 


DEKPER    IN   THE    WILDEUNESS.  275 

And  a  smile  passed  over  lier  sad  face,  and  her 
heart  was  coniiurted  with  the  hope  ol"  a  heaven 
with  Zack. 

After  this  great  sorrow,  came  the  hardest  part 
of  this  meek  creature's  journey  through  "  the  wil- 
derness." Her  sympathizing  friends  were  gone, 
toil  and  poverty  pressed  hard  upon  her,  and  the 
hope  of  seeing  Zack,  which  had  been  the  star  of 
her  darkness^  was  gone.  But  still  she  did  not 
sink.  She  looked  at  the  two  helpless  creatures 
before  her  and  accepted  the  care  of  them  as  her 
work,  —  for  she  had  none  else  on  whom  to  bestow 
labor,  and  they  had,  as  Mrs.  Huggins  said,  no 
friend  but  her  to  lean  on. 

As  soon  as  she  could  fix  her  mind  on  any  thing, 
she  gratified  her  feelings  by  dyeing  black  her  pink 
calico  and  her  blue  gingham,  and  exchanging  her 
gay  turban  for  one  of  white.  And  then  she  took 
up  her  toil  and  care  again  and  went  on  as  before 
this  great  calamity. 

When  a  new  spring  opened  on  that  almost  de- 
serted region  the  question  of  a  crop  came  up. 

"  If  we  don't  plant  we'll  die,  massa,"  said  Weza. 
"  We  must  put  in  de  corn  I've  bought  and  raise  a 
little,  anyhow.  If  we  tries  to  help  ourselves  God 
will  help  us." 

"'  Haint  got  no  boss  nor  mule  to  plough  with," 
replied  Dave,  mournfully. 


276  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Can't  we  spade  up  a  little  ground  ? "  asked 
Weza. 

"May  be  yer  can,"  replied  Dave,  "but  it'll  be 
powerful  hard  work  for  yer.  It  makes  my  bones 
ache  just  to  think  on't.  If  yer  could  only  plough 
I'd  try  to  plant  and  hoe  a  little." 

"  I've  heerd  tell  of  a  country  way  off  som'eres," 
replied  Weza,  "  where  the  men  ploughs  with  their 
wives  for  mules.  So  folks  can  do  if  without 
bosses.  Now,  if  yerll  draw  the  plough  I'll  hold 
it,  and  we  can  turn  up  the  ground  a  little." 

"-  There  now,"  cried  "  missus,"  "  that's  just  the 
plan.  I  do  like  to  see  folks  have  pluck  in  times 
\i\q  these  ;  and  it  makes  me  proud  to  be  yer  wife, 
Dave,  —  yer  such  a  sperited  man.  Takes  more 
than  the  North  to  put  yer  down.  That  man  that 
navigated  out  this  yere  half  o'  the  world  couldn't 
beat  yer  for  layin'  o'  plans  or  carryin'  on  'em  out. 
Yer  a  genus  for  contrivin'.  I  hke  to  encourage 
folks  that's  got  so  much  pluck,  and  I'll  tell  yer 
what  I'll  do  ;  if  yer  and  Weza  will  plough,  I'll  let 
yer  move  my  cheer  cross  the  room  to  t'other  win- 
dow, and  I'll  set  and  look  at  yer  and  tell  yer  if 
yer  furrers  is  straigljt."  And  Mrs.  Huggins  looked 
ti'iumphant  after  this  noble  offer  of  patronage  and 
self-sacrifice.  She  felt  that  she  deserved  a  martyr's 
crown ! 


DEEPER   IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  277 

Dave  evidently  demurred  in  lieart ;  and  Weza, 
seeing  this,  said,  ''  Now,  massa,  I've  gone  just  as 
far  as  I  can  go  alone.  If  yer  '11  wake  up  now  and 
help  me  I'll  stan'  by  yer  to  de  last,  but  if  yer 
don't  I  must  go"  down  river  and  fnid  work  to  take 
care  of  myself,  for  I'm  a'most  dead." 

This  tjireat  always  galvanized  Dave  and  brought 
on  a  httle  spasmodic  action.  So  he  promised  to 
draw  the  plough  for  her,  and  to  do  all  he  could 
towards  planting  and  hoeing. 

The  wardrobe  of  the  master  and  mistress  had 
by  this  time  almost  vanished  away.  Even  the 
changeable  silk  had  dropped  off  of  its  owner  piece 
by  piece,  and  the  crape  sliawl  had  about  fulfilled 
its  mission  as  a  cloak  to  hide  radical  deficiencies. 
And  "  massa's"  clothes ;  well,  there  was  not  enough 
left  of  them  to  write  about.  He  was  under  the 
painful  necessity  of  running  off  whenever  anybody 
approached  the  house.  He^  looked  little  enough 
like  one  of  the  "  chevelry  "  of  whom  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins  so  often  boasted.  In  this  sad  emergency, 
Weza  cut  up  two  pairs  of  blankets  and  made  a 
suit  for  each  of  them.  Madam  Demorest  —  that 
ubiquitous  ruler  of  fashion  —  may  rack  her  brains 
to  get  up  something  "  new  and  striking,"  but  the 
like  of  "  missus'  "  blanket-dress  will  never  dawn 
on  her  vision.     Weza  had  exercised  some  taste  in 


278  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

its  construction,  arranging  the  red  and  green 
border  so  that  it  ran  round  the  bottom  and  up  the 
front,  but  the  robe  was  too  short  behind  and  too 
long  before,  and  altogether  it  was  a  remarkable 
piece  of  mechanism.  But  Dave's  suit  of  the  same 
material  outshone  it  in  its  peculiarity.  Poor  Weza 
had  not  been  a  tailoress  in  times  of  peace,^  but  had 
become  one  from  the  necessities  of  war.  She  had 
very  little  idea  of  "  the  human  form  divine  "  or 
how  much  it  owes  to  that  benefactor  of  the  sons 
of  Adam  —  the  tailor.  So  she  cut  and  made  two 
long  bags  and  joined  them  together  at  the  top 
letting  the  gay  stripes  come  wherever  fate  decreed. 
These  she  styled  pants,  and  they  had  one  charm 
—  they  were  very  loose  and  easy.  But  the  gener- 
osity she  had  bestowed  on  this  garment  told  Lipon 
the  jacket.  That  was  a  wofully  tight  fit ;  it  took 
both  her  and  Huggins  with  a  good  deal  of  hard 
work  to  get  him  into  it.  Buttons  were  things  of 
the  past ;  to  be  remembered,  but  not  to  be  laid 
hold  on  at  the  mansion  house  now.  So  Weza  had 
cut  holes  the  size  of  a  pea  in  the  unhemmed  fronts 
and  whipped  them  round  with  blue  yarn ;  and 
through  these  Dave  had  inserted  leather  thongs — 
which  his  own  enterprise  had  evoked  from  an  old 
boot  leg  —  by  which  to  fasten  it. 

It  was  in  this  array  that  Dave  ploughed,  while 


DEEPFJJ   IN   THE   WILDERNEES.  279 

"  missus  "  watclicd  the  furrows.  He  felt  the  outre 
figure  he  cut,  aud  wlienever  he  saw  auy  oue  com- 
ing up  the  road  he  forsook  tlic  plougli  aud  sought 
shelter  iu  the  eorn-liouse  ucar  which  he  and  Weza 
were  scratching  up  the  ground.  But  his  eye  was 
on  the  i)ul)lic  road  only,  and  he  was  surprised  at 
his  work  the  second  day  by  a  stranger  coming  on 
him  from  the  rear. 

"  Is  this  Mr.  Huggins  ?  "  asked  a  tall  and  rather 
awkward  man,  wfio  had  come  up  the  lane  on 
horseback. 

"  It  u  —  u  —  used  to  be,"  replied  Dave,  in  great 
confusion,  ''and  I  —  I  —  reckon  it  would  be  agin 
if  it  had  a  fair  chance." 

The  man  tried  to  look  sober,  but  he  laughed 
outright  in  spite  of  himself  as  he  looked  on  Dave's 
nondescript  garments. 

Here  Mrs.  Huggins  raised  the  window,  put  the 
boot-jack  under  it,  and  asked,  "  What  does  he 
want  of  us,  Huggins  ?  " 

The  man  turned  towards  her,  and  seeing  her  style 
of  dress  said,  "  I  think  you  want  me  more  than  I 
want  you,  my  good  woman.  I've  got  some  little 
capital,"  he  continued,  addressing  himself  to  Hug- 
gins, "  and  I'm  going  to  work  Mr.  Walter  David- 
son's plantation  on  shares.  We  shall  liave  peace 
before  long,  and  then  there  will  .be  regiments  of 


280  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

blacks  seeking  work.  I  don't  understand  your 
soil  nor  your  crops,  and  Mr.  Davidson  said  he 
knew  you  had  been  an  overseer,  and  may  be,  as 
you  WQS  a  little  under  the  weather,  you'd  like  to 
superintend  the  work  for  us." 

"  Does  planters  that's  lived  in  mansion  houses 
ever  become  overseers  agin  ? "  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Huggins. 

"  Have  yer  got  anything  to  eat  over  there  ? " 
asked  Dave,  who  had  parted  company  with  his 
dignity  long  ere  this,  and  who  was  already  tired 
of  ploughing  and  was  looking  gloomily  on  the 
prospect  of  harvest. 

''Yes,  good  quarters  and  plenty  of  bacon  and 
corn.  We  want  to  be  all  on  hand  ready  to  em- 
ploy men  as  soon  as  the  army  is  disbanded,  and 
that'll  be  very  goon,"  replied  the  stranger. 

Huggins  stepped  out  from  the  rope  which  en- 
circled his  waist  and  so  harnessed  him  into  the 
plough,  and  said,  with  a  promptness  and  energy 
which  charmed  the  man,  "  111  go  as  soon  as  yer 
say.  The  quicker  the  better,  for  I  can't  work 
here  without  mules  nor  nothin',  and  I'm  powerful 
hungry." 

"  Well,  then,  turn  your  keys  here,  and  to-mor- 
row I'll  drive  over  with  Mr.  Davidson's  team  for 
you  and  your  wife,"  said  the  man. 


DEEPER  IN  THE  WILDERNESS.        281 

'^  rd  ax  yor  to  stay  to  dinner,  stranger,  if  we 
wasn't  all  ready  to  go  out  a  visitin',"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins  from  her  casement. 

The  stranger  must  have  thought  they  were  going 
to  a  masquerade  ball  from  their  style  of  dress,  but 
he  said  only,  "  I  couldn't  stay,  for  we're  driving 
matters  over  there.  The  place  was  run  down  a 
good  deal,  and  we  Yankees  put  our  own  hands  to 
every  thing.  We  never  stand  still  to  Avait  for 
help." 

"Be  yer  a  Yankee?"  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  de- 
spairingly. 

''  Yes,  madam.  I  hope  you  arn't  afraid  of 
me  ?  "  replied  the  stranger. 

"  Yer  didn't  come  for  to  entrap  us  and  to  make 
us  'list  in  the  U.  S.'s,  did  yer,  mister  ? " 

''  Xo,  madam,  I  came  to  make  J>usiness  for  you. 
I  have  served  out  my  time  in  the  army  and  now 
want  tp  settle  here.  As  soon  as  I  can  I  shall  get 
my  family  down.  You'll  find  me  true  to  my  word 
in  all  things,  I  guess."  And  to  assure  Huggins  of 
his  sincerity  in  making  the  offer  he  gave  him  a  five 
(dollar  bill  and  promised  to  provide  both  himself 
and  his  wife  with  clothes  as  soon  as  they  reached 
the  plantation,  some  ten  miles  away. 

The  plough  was  left  in  the  furrow,  and  there  the 
reader  will  see  it  again  at  a  future  day.     What 


262  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

there  was  to  take  was  packed  up  at  ouce.  Of 
course  it  had  to  be  unpacked  again,  for  there  were 
no  surplus  articles  there  to  lie  over  night  in 
bundles. 

"  0'  course  yer'll  go  too,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins  to 
Weza.     ''  Yer  know  that  was  part  o'  the  bargain." 

"  No,  missus,  I  wasn't  mentioned,"  said  Weza, 
who  felt  the  fetters  for  the  first  time  falling  from 
her  hands  and  her  feet.  ^'  I'm  free  now  to  go  and 
look  for  work.  Some  time  1*11  come  back  and  see 
how  yer  gits  along.  I  calls  dis  yere  an  angeFs  vis- 
it. Dis  Yankee  geuTman  was  like  de  raven  dat 
fed  de  old  man  dat  was  a  starvin'  in  de  Bible. 
And  now,  if  massa  only  spurs  up  a  little,  I  reckon 
yer'll  have  a  good  home  de  rest  o'  yer  lives." 

"  Course  they'll  have  somebody  to  take  keer  on 
me  ?  "  said  '^  missus,"  inquiringly,  from  the  side 
of  her  pipe. 

"  No  doubt  yer'll  have  all  yer  need,"  replied 
Weza. 

"  Oh,  goody  sakes  ! "  cried  "  missus,"  "  suppose 
they  didn't  have  a  woman  to  wait  on  me  ?  Them 
Yankees  don't,  yer  know.  I  do  believe  if  I  wa% 
left  to  myself  the  spiders  would  weave  webs  all 
over. me  and  bury,  me  up.  When  yer  went  off 
with  Zack,  that  time,  one  big  fellow  spun  a'most  a 
veil  over  my  face.     I  slapped  him  off  twice,  but  in 


DEEPER  IN   THE   WILDERNESS.  283 

a  minute  there  he'd  be  a  vveavhi'  agin.  He  was  as 
bokl  as  a  hon,  and- didn't  stand  in  fear  o'  me  no 
more'n  if  I  wasn't  ncTbody.  He  never  quit  weavin' 
till  Huggins  —  who's  -powerful  sperited  when  he 
once  sets  out  —  made  a  bold  pusli,  and  pinched 
him  oif.my  cap  with  the  tongs." 

In  three  days  all  was  as  still  on  the  Huggins 
plantation  as  in  the  buried  cities  of  the  East ;  for 
when  the  family  went  away  there  was  not  even  a 
mouse  to  make  a  noise.  Every  living  thing  had 
been  starved  out  long  before  that. 

We  will  leave  Huggins  with  Mr.  Davidson  and 
his  deluded  Yankee  partner,  and  follow  Weza  with 
her  little  bundle  to  the  Colonel's.  The  strain  on 
her  strength  being  now  removed,  she  sank  down 
from  exhaustion  and  debility.  She  had  now  leis- 
ure to  be  sick,  and  a  slow  fever  seized  upon  her. 
Ere  many  days  she  was  unconscious  of  all  that  was 
passing  around  her.  Cleo  watched  over  her  ten- 
derly for  many  weeks,  and  then  pronounced  her  dy- 
ing. She  told  some  foraging  blacks  whom  she  had 
kept  over  night,  that  "  Weza  was  most  home  to 
glory,  and  that  they  might  spread  de  news  'long  de 
lines  so  dat  our  boys  might,  may  be,  hear  on't 
some  day."  They  fulfilled  their  promise,  and  by 
that  magic  and  mysterious  telegraph  always  used 
by  slaves  and  Indians,  the  news  went  faster  than 


284  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

the  mail  could  have  carried  it.  And  wliile  Weza, 
the  crisis  being  over,  was  slowly  recovering  under 
old  mammy's  skilful  nursingf  her  friends,  in  a  far- 
off  camp,  were  singing  funeral  hymns  in  honor  of 
her  memory,  and  consoling  themselves  with  tlie 
thought  that  she  had  at  last  got  out  of  the  wilder- 
ness. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


A   JOYFUL   SURPRISE. 


ON  Weza's  recovery  from  her  long  sickness  she 
parted  with  Cleo  and  the  other  matrons  at  the 
Colonel's  place,  and  set  off  for  the  city,  hoping  to 
find  labor  whereby  she  might  support  herself  and 
repay  in  some  degree  the  kindness  of  her  poor 
friends. 

She  felt  almost  alone  in  the  world  now.  Once 
and  once  only  had  Mrs.  Huggins  been  to  see  her, 
and  then  she  only  worried  her  by  complaints  of 
"  the  people  at  Davidson's,"  who  seemed  to  think 
she  was  nobody,  and  told  her  to  wait  on  herself, 
and  even  called  her  lazy.  She  criedy  and  wrung 
her  hands,  and  said  she  wished  they  were  all  back 
to  the  mansion  house  in  their  "  old  splindor."  She 
expressed  fear  lest  some  of  the  Yankee  officers  — 
"  ginerals  or  sich  like"  —  might  take  possession  of 
the  mansion  house  and  use  up  her  furniture  "  arter 
this  contemptible  war  was  over,  and  they  got  dis- 

285 


286  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

bandaged."  She  pronounced  war  the  meanest 
kind  o'  trickery  going;  it  had  used  up  all  tlieir 
furniture,  and  clothes,  and  hosses,  and  mules, 
and  stole  off  their  slaves,  and  given  them  nothing 
in  return  for  it.  War  had  promised  them  a  new 
country  of  their  own  and  as  many  slaves  as  they 
wanted,  so  that  they  wouldn't  have  to  get  out  of 
their  "  cheers  ;  "  but  instead  of  that  it  had  stripped 
them  as  clean  as  bean-poles,  and  left  them  where 
they  had  to  get  up  for  every  thing  they  wanted, 
and  even  to  go  down  stairs  to  their  meals  ;  and 
stairs  were  awful  things  for  people  with  weak 
jints.  She  thought  all  the  Yankees  ought  to  be 
hung  for  meddlin'  with  what  didn't  belong  to 
them,  upsettin'  "  our  war,"  and  makin'  it  do  just 
contrary  to  what  it  ought  to  have  done.  "  If 
they'd  only  minded  their  own  business  and  stayed 
at  home,"  she  said,  "  this  would  have  been  the 
beautifulest  war  in  all  the  history  book,  it  would." 
As  she  waxed  warm  she  began  to  gasp  and 
tremble,  and  finally,  before  the  women  could  get 
her  away,  she  "  went  off  into  a  powerful  bad 
hysteric."  Cleo  was  just  the  doctor  for  her.  She 
ordered  her  to  be  taken  out  and  stretched  on  the 
kitchen  floor,  and  when  there  had  two  pails  of 
cold  water  dashed  violently  over  her.  This  was  a 
potent  appeal.     She  at  once  became  conscious,  and 


A   JOYFUL   SURPRISE.  287 

springing  to  her  feet,  cried,  "  Call  that  are  Bol)  to 
take  me  back  to  them  are  hateful  Yankees  afore  I 
go  off  agin."  She  never  came  where  MammyCleo 
was  to  practise  her  antics  after  that. 

Aunt  Sally,  of  St.  Cyprian  Street,  to  whom 
Zack  directed  the  minister  at  the  opening  of  our 
story,  had  long  been  the  queen  of  gossips,  and 
now  her  very  errors  of  the  past  made  her  a  valua- 
ble person  in  the  community.  Tlie  blacks  were 
running  hither  and  thither  looking  for  the  friends 
they  had  lost,  that  they  might  gather  them 
together  and  make  off  to  places  of  safety,  having 
an  undefined  dread  of  being  again  enslaved.  Many 
of  them  thought  Mr.  Lincoln  had  been  assassinated 
for  the  express  purpose  of  forging  again  the  fetters 
which  he  had  Ijroken.  Aunt  Sally  \'irtually  kept 
an  intelligence  office  —  in  this  emergency  -^  in 
connection  with  cakes  and  beer,  which  she  gave 
"  to  any  U.  S.  boy  dat  was  hungry,"  but  sold  at 
exorbitant  prices  to  other  folks. 

To  Aunt  Sally's  shop  "SVeza  made  her  way,  and 
there  learned  that  the  Colonel's  women  were  doing 
well,  and  would  be  "  moughty  glad  to  'ceive  her 
back  from  de  grave  agin."  With  these  poor  toil- 
ing women  she  found  a  home  and  a  warm  wel- 
come. They  had  provided  for  themselves  and  a 
good-sized  family  of  aged  women  and   little  ones 


288  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  up  river,"  besides  lending  a  helping  hand  to 
strangers  in  want,  and  jet  they  had  enough  and  to 
spare.  They  assigned  to  TVeza  a  little  loft  in  their 
old  house  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  and  with  the 
same  tenderness  they  had  manifested  towards  her 
m  times  past,  they  gave  her  the  easiest  portion  of 
their  work,  and  set  off  to  find  more  for  themselves. 

Peace  was  at  length  proclaimed.  The  soldiers, 
coming  home  with  honorable  discharges,  and  in 
many  cases  with  well  filled  wallets,  carried  them- 
selves like  men,  and  took  their  places  as  heads  of 
their  own  families  with  pride  they  could  not  con- 
ceal. 

One  day  after  the  army  had  been  disbanded  and 
the  cities  and  towns  were  full  of  soldiers  looking 
for  peaceful  work,  little  Bob,  who  had  been  brought 
down  from  the  plantation  to  run  of  errands  for 
the  women,  came  in  all  aglow  with  excitement. 
Weza  was  bending  over  her  table  ironing  a  fine 
garment,  when  he  grasped  her  arm  and  cried,  "  0, 
Aunty  Weza,  I's  seen  Zack  for  sure." 

"  No,  honey,"  replied  the  little  woman,  "  Zack's 
whar  yer  poor  eyes  can't  see  him.  Zack's  wid  de 
dear  Father  up  yonder,  chile." 

"  No,  Aunty,  I  seed  Zack  wid  my  two  eyes  a 
wheelin'  a  barrow  o'  sand  whar  dey's  mendin'  de 


A   JOYFUL  SURPRISE.  289 

roads  down  'long  by  de  wharves.     Sure's  I's  'live,* 
I  see  Zack." 

"  Honey,  yer  was  so  little  when  Zack  went  away 
yer  wouldn't  know  him  now  if  yer  did  see  him. 
Did  yer  speak  to  de  man  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  said,  '  Aunty's  to  my  house  and  she 
wants  to  see  yer  ; '  and  he  said  '  Go  long,  child.  I 
don't  want  nothin'  to  do  wid  no  aunties  in  dis 
world ;  all  de  auntie  ever  I  cared  particular  'bout's 
in  heaven,  and  bymeby  I'm  goin'  dere  to  see  her, 
Lord  willin'. '  " 

"  Course  den  it  wasn't  Zack,"  replied  Weza. 
''  He'd  a  flew  to  sec  me." 

"  It  was  Zack;  go  down  dar  and  see  if  it  isn't," 
replied  the  boy.  "  Here's  'bout  forty  thousand 
men  dere  dat's  been  let  out  of  de  army  mendin' 
de  land." 

"  Den  I's  sure  I  shan't  go  'mong  sich  a  heap  for 
to  hunt  up  a  dead  man,  dearie,"  replied  Weza, 
turning  again  to  her  fire  for  a  hot  iron. 

And  yet  she  resolved  to  go.  It  w^ould  do  no 
harm  to  look  on  the  returned  veterans,  she 
thought.  It  might  be  that  some  one  among  them 
had  known  Zack  and  could  tell  her  how  he  died. 

So,  without  saying  a  word  to  her  friends,  she 
dressed  herself  in  her  best  black  suit  after  dinner 
and  set  off  in  the  direction  the  boy  had  pointed 


290  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

out.  Having  reached  the  place,  she  asked  a  man 
she  met  if  he  had  been  in  the  army. 

"  Yes,  and  for  dat  matter  one  in  every  two  'long 
dis  line  o'  work  has  been  Uncle  Sam's  man,"  he 
said. 

"  Can  yer  tell  me  if  any  of  dem  was  in  de  First 
Rigiment?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  stranger.  "  The  furtherest 
off  gang  of  all  dat  ye  can  just  see,  way  off  dere  — 
see  ?  Dem  beyond  de  high  ships.  It's  a  powerful 
step  off,  and  rough  goin'  over  de  stones  and  sand, 
but  if  yer  a  soger's  wife  yer'll  get  there." 

So  she  stepped  over  long  rows  of  obstructions 
here  and  there  till  she  saw  a  man  of  the  gang 
alluded  to,  coming  towards  her  wheeling  sand. 
When  she  got  near  enough  she  asked  him,  without 
looking  up,  "  Please,  will  yer  tell  me  if  any  of  dese 
men  was  in  de  First  Rigiment  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  man,  in  a  terribly  gruff  voice, 
"  I  was  in  dat  same  myself.     Why  ?  " 

Still  she  didn't  look  up,  but  with  tears  in  her 
eyes  and  in  tremulous  tones  she  asked,  "  Please, 
did  yer  know  Zack  Cameron,  dat  fell  in  de  battle 
of ." 

"  Yes,"  roared  the  great  man,  in  tones  that 
actually  shook  poor  Weza,  "  I  knowed  him  better'n 
ever  yer  did." 


A  JOYFUL  SURPRISE.  291 

She  ventured4o  look  up^nd  then  gave  a  scream 
of  joy.     It  was  Zack  before  her,  but  so   cliauged 
that   slie   could  scarcely  believe  her   senses.     He 
had  gained  forty  pounds,  "  thanks  to  Uncle  Sam's 
pork  and  beans,"  he  said.     He  laughed,  and  she 
cried.     He  made  her  take  a  seat  in  the  sand  on 
the  barrow,  and  standing  before  her,  he  folded  liis 
arms,  looked  at  her  admiringly,  and  said,  in  his 
own  natural  tone,  ''  Why,  little  brown  woman,  yer 
a  heap  younger  and  handsomer  dan  yer  was  when 
I  left  yer ; "  and  then  he  laughed  again  long  and 
loud.     ".Now,   look  here,  I  heard   yer  was  dead 
of  a  fever.     When  I  was  shot  down  for  dead  I  was 
left  on  de  field,  but  de  Lord  wasn't  done  wid  me 
yet.     I  come  to  and  was  picked  up  and  carried  off 
to  a  hospital,  where  I  lay  pretty  used  up  for  a  long 
time.     I'd  got  scattered  from  my  rigiment,  and 
dey  offered  to  let  me  quit  and  go  home.     But  dis 
isn't  de  boy  to  run  when  dere's  work  to  be  done, 
and  home  wasn't  nothin'  to  me  if  yer  wasn't  in 
it.     So  I  got  'listed  'mong  strangers  and  couldn't 
hear  a  word  from  our  folks.     When  I  come  to  dis 
city  I  went  three  times  to  Aunt  Sally's  to  hear  did 
she  know  'bout  any  o'  my  other  friends,  for  I  was 
sure  yer  had  got  through  de  wild'ness  now.     Her 
door  was  locked,  and  I  couldn't   find   nobody.     I 
could  have  dis  yere  job  if  I'd  take  right  hold,  so  I 


292  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

did,  and  thought  de  first  day  or  •two  I  could  get 
I'd  go  up  to  de  old  place  and  see  if  derc  was  any 
life  left  dere  now.  Thank  de  Lord  ye's  live  to 
comfort  me  and  to  help  me  on  to  glory,"  he  cried. 
"  Dis  yere  is  a  blessin'  I  didn't  dare  to  ax  for." 

Weza  reached  forward  and  touched  his  hand  as 
if  to  make  sure  he  was  really  flesh  and  blood,  and 
then  she  said,  amid  her  sobs,  "  Zack,  I'll  never  let 
yer  out  o'  sight  agin  long  as  I  live^,  fear  ye'll  melt 
ofif  agin  ! " 

"  Ay,  ay !  Dat's  it,  ha  ?  Well,  den,  I  hopes 
yer's  larned  a  lesson  to  'bey  de  man  dat  de  Lord's 
made  head  on  yer.  If  yer'd  a  done  as  I  said, 
yer'd  a  been  in  a  little  home  down  here  and  I'd  a 
knowed  whar  to  find  yer.  But  yer  loved  Massa 
and  Missus  Huggins  best,  and  yer've  had  it  out 
wid  dem,"  and  Zack  looked  in  her  face,  laughing 
heartily  at  her  confusion. 

"  No,  Zack,  I  loved  yer  best,  but  dey  was  poor, 
helpless  creatur's,  and  I  felt  dat  de  Lord  had  sort 
o'  laid  'em  on  my  shoulders,"  replied  Weza. 

^'  A  mighty  tough  and  ugly  load  dey  was,  little 
woman ;  but  if  yer  carried  'em  for  conscience's 
sake  de  Lord  will  reward  yer ;  and  he  has  done  it. 
He  has  sent  me  back,  and  if  he'll  help  me  I'll 
make  yer  as  happy  as  a  queen,  so's  yer  needn't 
invy  nobody  on  dis  arth." 


A   JOYFUL  SURPRISE.  293 

While  the  liappy  creatures  were  talking  over 
tlieir  future  hopes  which  had  had  sucli  a  glorious 
resuri-ectiou,  "  the  boss  of  the  job"  came  along  — 
a  good-natured  man  generally,  but  just  then  tried 
and  vexed  with  several  eye-servants  under  his 
care. 

"  Here,  Zack,"  he  cried,  "  who's  this  woman 
hindering  your  work?  " 

Then  Zack,  wdth  a  low  bow,  told  him  the  story 
of  their  long  and  painful  separation  and  their  sur- 
prise in  meeting  here. 

"  Oh,  w^ell,  Zack,  if  that's  so,  take  as  much  time 
as  you  please  to  talk  Your  a  faithful  fellow  and 
I'll  give  you  the  afternoon  to  yourself.  You'll 
want  to  hunt  up  a  little  home  and  buy  some 
things  to  put  in  it.  You  may  go  now  for  the 
day." 

"  Thank  yer,  massa,  but  I'd  rather  finish  my 
day's  work.  If  I've  stood  bein'  seperated  from  her 
for  years,  I  reckons  I  can  stand  it  till  sundown  !  " 
cried  Zack,  laughing. 

Weza  would  not  leave  him,  and  all  the  afternoon 
she  walked  up  and  down  the  long,  sandy  path  be- 
side him  and  the  wheelbarrow,  telling  the  tale  of 
the  past  sad  years.  But  over  all  her  sorrows  she 
extolled  the  mercy  of  God  which  had  upheld  her, 
and  brought  her  at  last  so  nearly  out  of  the  wilder- 


294  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

ness.  ''  Now,"  she  said,  ^'  I've  just  only  one  more 
thing  left  dat  I  can  ax  of  de  Lord,  dat  he  would 
send  me  my  boys." 

"  Well,  don't  begin  to  fret  at  him,  den.  I  always 
tell  yer  I  believe  when  you  quit  teasin'  of  liim  and 
gives  'em  up  like  Abraham  give  up  Isaac,  dat  yerT 
either  see  'em  or  hear  dat  dey's  gone  on  afore,  and 
is  waitin'  yer  in  glory." 

The  simple-hearted  pair  found  a  little  home,  aYid 
there  they  gathered  their  friends  about  them  for  a 
humble  feast  in  honor  of  the  joyous  reunion.  \ 
happier  pair  never  took  possession  of  their  first 
home  together. 

Zack  wrought  faithfully  till  his  engagement  was 
ended,  and  then  while  looking  about  for  new  em- 
ployment, fell  in  with  the  gentleman  who  after- 
wards brouglit  him  and  AVeza  to  the  North.  The 
very  word  "  Xorth "  pictured  to  their  innocent 
minds  paradise  peopled  with  substantial  angels  ; 
and  they,  like  two  children,  seized  on  the  first  op- 
portunity to  visit  and  behold  its  glories. 

And  now  they  were  in  Xew  England  working 
cheerfully  and  acknowledging  "  de  good  hand  of  de 
dear  Father"  in  all  their  mercies.  Zack  worked 
about  the  gentleman's  place,  so  Weza  could  see  him 
at  any  hour  by  looking  from  one  window  or  anoth- 
er of  the  kitchen.     When  the  day's  toil  was  over, 


A    JOYFUL   SURPRISE.  295 

he  usually  went  into  town  to  the  post  office,  and  to 
bring  home  what  was  needed  from  -the  store,  and 
she  always  accompanied  him,  rain  or  shine.  She 
was  as  good  as  her  word,  never  letting  him  out  of 
her  sight  for  a  moment  when  she  could  help  it ;  so 
that  Zack  was  justified  in  saying,  as  he  did,  proud- 
ly,."  If  I  sets  of  to  get  a  jug  o'  karsine  ile,  in  a 
minute  I  hear  steps  and  looks  round,  and  dar  is  she 
close  to  my  heels.  She's  bound  never  to  lose  me 
agin,  the  poor  weak  woman !  " 

The  happy  creatures  got  on  well  and  earned 
large  wages  till  the  snow  began  to  fall  and  the 
wild  winds  to  whistle  round  the  large,  lonely  house 
where  they  lived.  Then  they  grew  homesick,. and 
as  work  out  of  doors  was  not  pressing,  Zack  had 
plenty  of  time  to  sit  within  and  talk  with  Weza 
about  their  old  friends  and  home.  They  drew 
brigh^  pictures  of  the  ColoneFs  mansion  house 
with  the  family  gathered  there,  and  of  the  kitchen 
where  they  imagined  the  same  group  was  bustling 
about,  or  telling  tales  and  singing  psalms  around 
the  blazing  hearth. 

One  night  they  had  gone  to  an  evening  meeting 
at  the  village,  about  a  mile  away,  when  a  wild 
north-east  storm  came  on.  As  they  set  out  for 
home  the  wind  was  blowing  a  perfect  hurricane, 
and -the  flying  sleet   blinded  them   so   that   they 


296  OUT   OF   THE   ^\1LDERNESS. 

could  scarcely  see  their  way.  It  seemed  to  them 
as  if  all  the  spirits  of  evil  were  let  loose  that 
night  and  were  howling  around  them.  They  had 
never  heard  the  like  of  it  before. 

"  Who's  dat  screamin'  ?  "  cried  Weza,  pressing 
closer  to  the  side  of  her  strong  protector. 

"  I  reckons  dat'S  de  wind  'mong  de  branches," 
replied  Zack,  "  but  it  sounds  powerful  sad." 

''  Xo,  Zack,"  cried  the  kind  little  woman.  "  I's 
sartin'  it's  some  unlucky  creatur'  dat  aint  got  no 
husband.  She's  out  alone,  and  is  'feared  and 
bewildered  like.  Oh,  oughtn't  I  to  be  a  thankful 
woman  dat's  got  yer  to  lean  agin  ?  Go,  Zack,  and 
find  who's  cryin'  for  help,  and  111  stan'  here  wid 
my  back  agin  de  wind  till  yer  come." 

Zack  listened  for  a  moment  with  his  band  up  to 
his  ear.  When  one  wail  died  away  and  another 
began,  he  turned  about  and  tried  to  decide  whence 
it  came.  And  at  length  he  said,  "  I's  sure  dat's 
de  voice  o'  no  li\dn'  creatur'  'case  it's  in  half  a 
dozen  places  to  one  time,  and  dat  isn't  human 
natur'.  It's  de  wind  cryin'  'case  he  can't  tear  de 
world  down,  I  reckons,  but  thank  de  Lord,  de 
foundations  was  laid  strong  so  dat  neither  winds 
nor  floods  can  upset  things  agin  his  will.  Oh, 
Weza,  chile,  it'»  a  lovely  thing  to  feel  dat  de  Lord 
we  loves,  and  dat  calls  hisself  our  Father,  holds  de 


A   JOYFUL   SURPRISE.  297 

winds  and  de  waves  in  his  liand  ;  dat  dcy  is  his 
•sarvants,  and  roars  and  dasiics  only  when  he  bids 
•em.  Let's  be  thankfnl,  chile,  dat  our  God  can 
shake  de  arth  when  he's  a  mind  to,  and  can  make 
it  lie  still  without  speakin'  a  word  or  liftin'  his 
hand.  Let's  hurry  home  now ;  dere's  no  '  poor 
crcalur'  widout  a  husband '  out  in  de  storm 
to-night."  And  he  smiled  with  pride  to  think 
how  important  a  character  he  was  to  the  life  and 
happiness  of  the  fiail  little  creature  at  his  side. 
It  makes  any  man  ha[)py  to  feel  that  great  inter- 
ests are  depending  on  him. 

When  they  were,  safely  in  the  kitchen  Weza 
said,  imploringly,  to  Zack,  "  Please  take  me  home 
agin.  Dis  yere  North  is  too  cold  and  wild  for  me. 
I  hasn't  been  warm  to  de  heart  in  three  months, 
and  'sides  dat  I's  homesick  for  to  see  Mammy  Cleo 
and  de  other  women." 

"  Aint  yer  homesick  to  see  Missus  Huggins  and 
wait  on  her  a  little  more  ? "  asked  Zack,  jocosely. 
"  I's  feared  if  I  take  yer  down  dere  yer'll  quit  me 
and  go  to  plowin'  wid  Huggins  for  yer  mule,  or 
makin'  coats  and  gowns  out  o'  blankets  and  ^sicli 
like  for  dem." 

''  No,  Zack,  I'll  never  leave  yer  sure.  But  I 
tells  yer  dat  I'll  never  get  quit  of  dis  cold  in  de 
heart  while  I  lives  to  de  North.  Will  yer  go  to 
save  me  a  dyin'  ?  " 


298  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

"  Yes,  honey,  I'll  take  yer  back.  Home's  do 
best  i)lace  arter  all  ;  and  yer  own  folks,  no  matter 
how  black  dey  be,  is  de  best  folks  for  yer.  I's 
been  a  tarnin'  dis  yere  over  in  my  mind,  and  Vs 
got  a  plan  for  bein'  a  planter  and  livin'  in  a  man- 
sion house  myself  as  well  as  Huggins,"  replied 
Zack,  with  a  smile.  '- 1  didn't  tell  yer  on't,  fear 
yer'd  be  onpatient  and  bother  me  'fore  I  got  my 
money  and  was  ready  for  to  start.  I  don't  like  de 
cold  no  better'n  yer  does.  It  scourges  me  all  up, 
and  is  de  first  thing  in  dis  arth  dat  ever  made  me 
feel  lazy.  I  hates  to  get  up  in  de  mornin',  and  I 
hates  to  go  out  in  de  snow.  ^But  I  won't  yield  up 
to  it,  else  I'd  soon  be  a  great  goose  'stead  of  a 
man." 

The  lady  of  the  house  where  they  lived  was  an 
invalid,  and  did  not  like  the  cold  any  better  than 
her  poor  little  cook  did. 

One  day  after  this  long,  wild  storm  was  over, 
Zack's  employer  called  him  into  the  library  on 
Sunday  evening,  and  said,  "  Well,  my  good  fellow, 
I  believe  I've  proved  you  one  of  a  thousand  for 
faithfulness.  I  am  going  South  with  my  wife  for 
her  health,  and  shall  leave  you  and  Weza  in 
charge  of  every  thing  here." 

"  I's  proud  of  yer  trust,  sir,"  said  Zack,  "  but 
1  couldn't  take  it,  no  how.     I  was  goin'  to  tell  yer 


A    JOYFUL   SURPRISE.  299 

to-morrow  dat  I  was  goiii'  South  for  my  wife's 
licaltli.     Dis  yere  east  wind's  a  killiu'  of  her." 

"  Zack,"  said  the  gentleman,  "  my  wife's  very 
precious  to  me." 

"  She  can't  be  no  preciouser  to  yer  den  mine  is 
to  me,  sir,  —  axin'  yer  pardon,"  replied  Zack. 
''  'Sides  dis,  I's  got  plans  for  takin'  a  plantation 
on  '  sheres,'  wharby  I'll  do  more  den  make  a  bare 
livin'  by  my  hard  work.  Ye  see,  sir,  since  I's 
been  sot  free  I's  had  ambitions  I  never  thought  on 
afore.  I  wants  to  own  a  place  and  to  lay  up  a 
little  for  my  wife  if  she  should  be  left  behind  me 
in  the  wikVness.  So,  sir,  well  as  I  like  yer  sar- 
vice,  I  shall  have  to  give  it  up  to  take  keer  ou  my 
wife.     Dat's  my  first  duty,  isn't  it,  sir  ?  " 

In  ten  days  Zack  and  Weza,  finely  arrayed  in 
gay  and  comfortable  clothing,  were  on  their  jour- 
ney southward,  as  light  of  heart  as  any  two  black- 
birds that  ever  sought  a  warmer  clime. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

GATHERING     AT     HOME. 

ONE  evening,  several  mouths  after  the  time  when 
we  introduced  Zack  and  AVeza  to  the  reader, 
they  were  seated  once  more  at  the  humble  board 
of  Chrissy,  the  matron  who  liad  sheltered  Weza, 
and  through  whose  little  boy  she  and  Zack  had 
met  again,  after  their  long  and  hopeless  separation. 
When  the  first  joyful  greetings  were  over,  Zack 
brought  out  a  leather-cloth  bag,  which  he  had 
bought  in  "  Besting,  where  he  had  taken  the  cars 
for  home  wid  a  powerful  achin'  to  be  warm  once 
agin  in  dis  life,"  and  opened  it  with  a  key  which 
hung  from  his  neck  by  a  shoestring,  —  tags  and 
all.  "  Here,  Chrissy,"  he  said,  holding  up  a  gay, 
cheap  shawl,  "  dis  is  a  token  of  my  love  and  grati- 
tude to  yer.  Yer  may  well  be  proud  on't,  for  yer 
can  now  hold  up  yer  head  afore  de  'sembled  uni- 
varse,  sayin',  '^Dis  yere  fshawl  come  from  Bosfing, 
dat  holy  city  whar  de  inhabitants  dereof  fit  agin 

300 


GATHERING   AT   HOME.  301 

dc  'prossion  o'  our  people  ;  dat  city  which  gin  us 
do  victim  of  Fort  Wagner,  whose  blood  cried  from 
•de  ground  till  de  Lord  'venged  him  and  us  of  our 
ailversary.  I  tells  yer,  Chrissy  Leon,  'taint  no 
small  honor  for  a  poor  weak  woman  to  wear  a 
sliawl  dat  come  from  dat  glorious  city  I  When  I 
walk  'bout  dem  streets  holdin'  Weza  by  de  hand 
fear  I  lose  her,  'peared  like  I  heerd  a  voice  sayin', 
— '  Take  off  yer  shoes,  for  de  place  whereon  yer 
stood  is  holy  ground.'  I  'membered  how  he  loved 
liberty,  and  how  he  pitied  us,  and  how  when  he 
fell,  dey  buried  him  wid  his  men  ;  and  as  I  stood 
'fore  de  window  of  a  great  pictur'  shop,  a  'musin' 
of  Weza,  de  tears  rolled  down  my  cheeks  and  I 
was  most  chokin'  wid  feelin's.  Says  she,  'What 
ails  yer,  Zack  ?  Yer  aint  sorry  yer  goin'  home,  be 
yer  ?  '  '  No,'  says  I,  '  but  I'm  thinkin'  of  Fort 
Wagner,  where  I  fit  once,  and  of  him  dat  led  us 
dar ;  and  'pears  like  I  want  to  fall  down  on  my 
knees  and  kiss  every  stone  in  de  streets  of  dis  old 
city  for  what  she  lay  on  de  altar  o'  freedom  dere.' 

"  And  now,"  he  added,  smiling  through  his 
tears,  "here's  a  knife  from  de  holy  city  for  dis 
dear  boy,  dat  by  his  good  membry  brung  me  and 
Weza  togetlier.  It's  got  four  blades,  and  a  gim- 
blet,  and  a  corkscrew,  and  a  screw  driver,  —  in 
fact,  it's  a  small  carpenter's  shop  sot  into  a  handle. 


S02  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

It  aint  to  l)e  carr'ed  'bout  in  de  pocket  every  day, 
but  only  when  he's  dressed  up,  to  show  to  folks. 
I's  named  dis  yer  knife  '  Bosting,'  in  honor  of  . 
freedom,  and  as  long  as  yer  live,  boy,  don't  yer  let 
de  name  o'  dat  city  nor  de  word  '  Yankee '  be  light 
spoken  afore  yer  presence.  Next  to  God  we  owes 
every  thin'  to  de  Yankees,  and  I  does  hereby  pro- 
nounce and  declar'  dem  de  nation  whose  God  is  de 
Lord." 

Tlien  he  gave  away  turljan  handkerchiefs  and 
toys  to  the  other  members  of  the  little  family  say- 
ing, '  I's  resarved  a  new  gown  for  dear  old  Cleo, 
and  somethin'  for  de  rest  of  de  folks  dere.  To- 
morrow I  goes  up  river  to  see  'em,  and  yer,  Chris- 
sy,  must  go  wid  us  to  'zibit  dat  shawl,  and  see  if 
'taint  time  for  all  us  to  go  back,  for  yer  know  de 
Lord  promised  dat  he  will  gather  up  de  solitary 
ones  into  families  agin." 

All  through  Zack's  speech  Weza  had  looked  very 
anxious  for  a  chance  to  put  in  a  word,  and  when 
he  stopped  for  breath,  she  said,  in  a  plaintive  tone, 
"  Chrissy,  dear,  yer  hasn't,  heerd  nothin'  from  my 
boys,  has  ye?  Old  Sally  promised  to  spy* and  pry 
round  and  let  yer  know  if  she  got  any  news." 

''Xo  honey,"  rephed  Chrissy,  '-I  l^asn't.  Yer 
better  gin  'em  up  now  and  thank  de  Lord  yer  got 
Zack.  See  how  many  poor  cretur's  has  lost  dere 
husbands,  and  how  many  never  had  none." 


GATHERING   AT   HOME.  303 

"  But,"  replied  Weza,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
''  de  Lord  say  if  we  ax  we  shall  receive,  and  if  we 
seek  we  sliall  find.  Now  he  is  true,  and  I  have 
axed  and  seeked,  and  how  can  it  be  dat  I  shall 
never  find  'em  ?     Prayer  must  be  answered." 

"  Pho,  pho,  child,"  cried  Zack,  patronizingly, 
"  dat  'pends  on  what  yer  call  prayer.  I  don't  call 
nothin'  a  prayer  dat  haint  got  a  '  Dy  will  be  done  ' 
to  de  end  on't.  Yer  don't  know  but  de  Lord  has 
had  dem  boys  saved  up  in  glory  for  years  and 
years,  as  de  best  thing  he  can  do  for  yer ;  and  if 
so,  do  yer  think  he's  goin'  to  work  a  mericle  and 
send  'em  back  to  trudge  through  dis  yere  wild'ness 
just  to  let  yer  carry  de  day  ?     No,  sir." 

"  But,  Zack,  I's  had  bad  spells  o'  bein'  sul> 
mittive  to  his  will,  yer  know,"  said  the  little 
w^oman. 

''  Moughty  short  ones,"  replied  Zack,  shaking 
his  head  ;  '-'  and  even  den  it  was,  '  Dy  will  be  done 
if  I  can't  get  mine.'  I've  always  said,  when  yer 
gin  up  yer  will  ye'd  either  g^  'em  back  or  be  cured 
o'  this  awful  hungerin'  and  thustin'  arter  'em." 

The  little  party  found  all  well  on  the  plantation. 
The  men  had  returned  with  money  enough  to  live 
on  till  they  could  raise  new  crops,  and  letters  had 
just  come  from  the  Colonel  to  have  all  things  in  or- 
der, as  he  should  return  home  in  the  spring.     Poor 


804  OUT   OF   THE    \nLDERNESS. 

old  Cleo  threw  open  the  parlors  with  real  pride, 
and  exclaimed,  "  Look  at  dat,  chiren.  I's  saved 
dis  from  de  war,  and  de  pestelence,  and  de  flood, 
to  prove  how  we  loves  dis  family.  Nobody  knows 
how  I've  fit  afore  I  kept  it  all.  I  can  fight  foes 
mighty  brave,  but  when  yer  has  to  lift  up  de 
sword  agin  yer  friends  dat's  a  fightin'  for  yer,  it's 
powerful  tough.  When  de  gray  coats  come  here 
and  wanted  dem  carpets,  I  driv  'em  off  quick.  I 
told  'em  I'd  scald  de  fust  man  dat  put  foot  in  de 
rooms,  and  such  like  talk.  Dey  scold  and  laugh, 
but  dey  always  clar  off.  But  when  dat  dear  little 
leftenny  in  blue,  dat  had  de  prayin'  mother  at 
home  —  when  he  come  three  times  arter  'em,  I  tell 
yer  it  took  a  soger's  pluck  to  hold  on  to  'em.  De 
last  time  I  felt  so  dat  I  cried,  'case  I  got  nothin' 
else  to  give  him,  and  dat  touched  his  heart,  and  he 
say  to  his  men,  '  Let  her  keep  dem,  poor  soul,  for 
slie's  made  a  vow,'  and  den  I  give  'em  all  I  had  — 
corn-cake  and  milk  —  and  promised  to  pray  for 
dem  like  do  man  in*'de  lions'  den  prayed  three 
times  every  day.  So  I's  got  de  beds,  and  de  parlor 
carpets,  and  furnitur'  all  ready  for  massa's  folks, 
and  a  promise  from  de  Lord  dat  dey  and  us  shall 
live  in  dis  yere  land,  and  dat  verily  we  shall  be  fed. 
0'  course  ye'll  all  stick  to  de  Colonel,  for  I  can 
tell  yer,  slave  or  free,  yer' 11  find  no  better  massa 
and  missus." 


GATHERING    AT    HOME.  305 

"  I  hope  dem  dat  hires  out  at  all  will  stick  by, 
but  for  luyself,"  replied  Zack,  "  I  thinks  o'  settin' 
up  on  my  own  hook.  I'll  be  a  planter  and  live  in 
a  mansion  house,  like  old  Massa  and  Missus  Hug- 
gins,  dat  Weza's  so  homesick  arter  dat  she  comes 
up  river  to  hunt  'em  up."  And  he  and  the  others 
all  laughed  heartily ;  for  Weza's  faithfulness  to 
those  to  whom  she  owed  so  little  had  passed  into  a 
family  joke  at  the  Colonel's. 

That  evening,  when  the  happy  party  was  gath- 
ered round  a  pine  knot  fire,  and  each  had  re- 
counted the  wonderful  events  which  had  occurred 
since  last  they  sat  there,  Zack  said,  "  I'd  like  for 
to  make  a  few  remarks,  brothers  and  sisters.  I's 
seen  a  powerful  sight  o'  the  world,  and  larned  high 
wisdom  since  I  left  yer.  My  'pinion  is  dat  white 
folks  has  done  'bout  all  dcy  can  do  for  us  now ;  we 
got  to  do  de  rest  ourselves.  We  aint  a  great 
heap  of  babies  dat's  got  to  be  trotted  and  fed  all 
our  lives.  I  goes  for  'construction.  I  think  we's 
got  a  heap  to  do  'fore  it's  brung  about.  If  any 
man  feels  it  in  him  let  him  hire  a  plantation  and 
get  hands  and  be  a  planter,  and  if  he  don't  let  him 
hire  out.  I's  'bout  made  up  my  mind  to  go  halves 
with  Huggins  —  dat  is,  work  de  plantation  on 
condition  dat  he'll  keep  out  o'  de  way,  and  1 11  give 
him  half  I  makes  arter  de  place  is  picked  up  and 
put  in  runnin'  order." 


306  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS, 

The  men  all  laughed,  and  one  said,  "  Massa 
Davidson  and  de  Yankee  gentleman  will  pay  yer 
moughty  well  to  take  him  out  of  de  way  dere. 
He's  got  so  powerful  lazy  now  dat  he  sits  down  and 
cries  when  de  men  bothers  him,  which  dey  does 
'bout  all  de  time  ;  and  missus,  —  0,  my  stars,  yer 
ought  to  hear  how  de  Yankees  goes  on  'bout  her. 
Dey  never  see  such  like  afore.  Dey  sot  out  to 
make  her  take  keer  on  Huggins'  clothes  and  hern, 
and  every  time  dey  told  her  to  wash  or  mend  she 
went  into  hysterics.  They  don't  know.wHiat  on 
arth  to  do  wid  'em.  Davidson  might  ha'  knowd 
better  dan  to  hire  him ;  for  a  man  dat  won't 
work  for  hisself  vron't  work  for  other  folks,  dat's 
sartin.     Is  yer  goin'  to  hire  him,  Zack  ?  " 

"  Yes,  hire  him  to  keep  out  o'  my  way^"  replied 
Zack,  laughing.  "  I'll -feed  him  and  old  missus  for 
de  use  o'  de  plantation,  and  I'll  sell  more  pine  off 
on"t  in  a  year  den  he  ever  thought  was  on't  !  Got 
any  old  mule  or  other  live  creatur'  I  can  drive  over 
to  Massa  Davidson's  plantation  in  de  morning, 
boys?" 

*'  Yes,  got  three  bosses  and  two  mules  branded 
U.  S.,"  replied  one  of  the  men,  "  and  we've  put  all 
de  wagons  and  such  like  in  order,  and  dey's  at  yer 
sarvice." 

Zack  rode  over  to  "  Massa"  Davidson's  the  next 


GATHERING    AT   HOME. 


^07 


morning,  and   in   the  middle  of  the  forenoon  re- 
turned witli  -  Massa"  and  '-  ]\Iissus"  Iluggins,  both 
arrayed  in   cheap  working   clothes,  althongh    the 
hitter,  chnging  to  the  ghost  of  her  former  glory, 
still  wore- the  gay  crape  shawl,  the  last  remnant  of 
her  grandeur.     Hnggins  seemed  to  have  lost  what 
little  spirit  he  had  ever  possessed,  and  sat  still  in 
the  wagon  like  a  wooden  man  till  Zack  helped  him 
out.     When  he  and  "  missus  "  were  ushered  into 
the  house  they  both  began  to  cry.     Had  Huggins 
been  a  school  boy  instead  of  a  planter  who  owned 
a  ''  mansion  house,"  we  should  say  he  blubbered  ; 
as  it  was  he  wept.     "  Missus,"  after  laying  down 
carefully  her  Punch  pipe,  to  which  she  had  clung 
through    all  her    reverses,   began    to   twitch   her 
mouth  and  eyes  and  to  stiffen  out  her  limbs. 

"  Chrissy,"  cried  Cleo,  "  see  if  de  two  pails  is 
full  of  right  cold  water."  This  liint  was  enough. 
'  Mrs.  Huggins,  remembering  her  former  drenching, 
did  not  care  to  submit  to  old  mammy's  treatment 
again,  so  she  changed  her  tactics,  and  catching 
AVeza's  hands  in  both  her  own,  began  to  sob  and 
to  talk  at  the  same  time.  ''  Oh,  how  glad  I  be  to 
see  yer,  yer  dear,  kind  little  Weza.  I've  been  the 
'busedest  cretur'  in  the  world  since  I  see  yer. 
Yankees  is  awful.  They's  savages  and  tyrantses 
in   gineral,  mostly  !     O-o-o !    The  Yankee   genT- 


30H  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

man's  as  mean  as  a  nigger.  He  works  with  his 
own  hands,  he  does,  —  a  plowin',  and  sowin',  and 
a  greasin'  wheels,  and  every  thin' ;  and  his  missus, 
that's  right  handsome,  and  wears  a  gold  watch, 
and  plays  the  music  when  she's  to  home  where  the 
music  is,  —  she  washes  dishes,  and  works  Imtter, 
and  cooks,  and,  —  yes,  I  will  tell  on't,  I  don't  keer 
if  it's  the  ruin  of  her  riputation,  —  I  ketched  her 
once  to  the  washtub,  a  teachin'  the  black  folks  how 
to  wash  Yankee  fashion.  And  he,  Mr.  Green,  is 
so  mean-sperited  that  he  let  her  do  it,  he  did. 
And  oh,  they  'bused  me  terrible ;  me,  that's  been 
the  wife  of  a  chevelry  and  lived  in  a  mansion 
house  so  many  years  ;  they  said  I  must  keep  Hug- 
gins  mended  up,  and  wash  and  iron  my  clothes 
and  hisn.  When  I  told  them  I  didn't  know  how, 
Missus  Green  said  —  awful  unfeelin'  —  'It's  time 
yer  did,  and  I'll  teach  yer.'  Then  I  went  off  in 
one  of  my  awfullest  fits,  but  the  hard-hearted 
creatur'  went  out  of  the  room  as  ca'm  as  if  I  was 
only  a  kitten  in  a  fit,  a  sayin',  '  When  yer  get 
through  with  what  yer  at  now,  Mrs.  Huggins,  I'll 
show  yer  how  to  wash,  and  to-morrow  I'll  teach 
yer  to  iron.  That  will  loosen  yer  jints,'  says  she, 
'  quickern  any  leniment  yer  can  buy.'  O-oo  I  how 
I've  been  worked  !  I  had  to  make  my  own  bed, 
and   get   out   o'    my   cheer   every   time  I  wanted 


GATHERING    AT    HOME.  309 

tobacco,  and,  O-oo !  I  had  to  sweep  my  room,  too. 
I  didn't  see  no  dirt,  and  wouldn't  been  afearcd  on't 
if  I  had  ;  but  she  see  it.  Her  eyes  is  hke  a  cat's 
in  the  dark,  and  she  made  me  sweep  it  just  to 
please  her !  I'm  most  dead,  Weza.  I  want  to  go 
back  to  the  mansion  house,  even  if  I  dies  next  day. 
I'd  sooner  die'n  not.  It  would  be  a  moughty  sight 
easier  lyin'  still  in  the  grave  than  livin'  with  them 
oneasy  Yankees,  that's  forever  a  drivin'  themselves 
and  every  body  else,  —  it  would.  I  hate  Yankees, 
and  I'm  afeared  o'  em,  too.  Take  me  home, 
0-00-00  !" 

And  the  nervous  woman  clutched  Weza's  arms 
with  a  vigor  that  showed  her  bodily  powers  were 
not  failing.  ''  0,  missus,"  said  Weza,  in  a  soft 
voice,  "  I's  sorry  yer  been  onhappy,  but  dis  yere's 
a  workin'  world.  I  has  to  work  myself,  and  I 
haint  got  no  power  to  keep  yer  from  it.  But 
Zack's  come  to  talk  with  massa  'bout  us  all  livin' 
home  on  de  plantation  together  agin ;  and  if  we 
does  I'll " 

"  Hi,  hi !  Look  out  dere  how  yer  makes  prom- 
ises, yer  little  brown  woman,"  cried  Zack.  "  If 
we  ever  lives  on  dat  ar  plantation  it'll  l)e  on 
moughty  different  tarms  from  what  yer  lived  dere 
afore,  I  tell  yer.  I'll  be  de  massa,  and  yer'll  be 
de  massa's  wife,  and  be  sarvant  o'  sarvants  to  no- 


310  OUT   OF   THE   ^VILDERNESS. 

body's  folks.  Yer've  had  it  tough  so  far,  but 
hencefor'  yer'll  live  easy,  lookiu'  arter  your  work 
while  other  folks  does  it.  Don't  yer  go  makiu' 
any  rash  promises  dat  I  won't  let  yer  carry  out,  — 
mind." 

"  0,  hoo  !  hoo  I  He  won't  let  her  go  back  ; " 
and  Mrs.  Huggins  began  to  shiver  and  twitch 
till  Cleo  got  up  and  looked  into  the  water-pails 
again. 

"  Keep  easy,  missus,"  cried  Zack,  "  while  I  talks 
to  Massa  Huggins."  And  then  Zack  laid  his  plan 
before  the  old  master,  offering  to  "  bring  the  run 
down  plantation  to  tarms,"  and  then  to  hire  hands 
to  run  it,  either  doing  it  on  shares  or  giving  Hug- 
gins and  his  wife  a  comfortable  home  up  stairs  out 
of  the  way,  as  long  as  they  lived. 

The  offer  was  like  that  of  liberty  to  a  captive  in 
irons ;  and  Huggins'  eye  kindled  and  his  voice  was 
choked  as  he  replied,  "  Fetch  me  a  pen !  I'll 
make  my  will  this  minute,  leavin'  the  plantation 
and  the  mansion  house  to  yer  and  Weza  for  takin' 
keer  on  us  and  savin'  us  from  work  while  we  lives. 
Don't  talk  about  no  '  sheres,'  for  then  I  might  feel 
a  keer  on  my  mind  ;  but  yer  run  it  and  feed  and 
clothe  us  and  that's  all  we'll  ax  while  we  lives. 
We  haint  got  no  livin'  creatur'  to  be  our  heirs." 

"  Well,  but  yer  don't   want  Weza  to  make  yer 


GATHERING    AT    HOME.  311 

clothes,  do  yer  I "  asked  Zack.  And  tlien  all  the 
little  company,  including  ma^^  and  missus,  laughed 
heartily  at  the  remembrance  of  the  suits  which 
poor  Weza  had  improvised  from  blankets  in  the 
hour  of  their  deep  extremity. 

"  Now,  den,  mammy,  order  de  women  to  haul 
out  de  table,  and  let's  have  de  best  yer  got  to  cele- 
brate dis  bargain  'tween  Massa  Huggins  and  me, " 
cried  Zack.  ■  Set  a  small  table  for  dem  alone 
'cause  dey's  white." 

But  missus  was  so  overjoyed  "  to  be  clar  of  white 
folks, "  that  she  positively  refused  to  sit  at  a  sepa- 
rate table,  and  soon  there  was  the  rare  sight  of  the 
"  chevelry  "  and  their  sable  neighbors  eating  and 
chatting  merrily  together.  All  went  on  well  ex- 
cept the  slight  blunder  of  "  massa"  who  was  unused 
to  prayers  or  invocations,  shouting  out,  while  poor 
Zack  was  asking  heaven's  blessing  on  the  board, 
"  I  tell  yer  them  Yankees  is  awful." 

"  Now,  see  here  friends,  one  and  all,  "  cried  Zack, 
"  I's  'bout^half  Yankee  myself,  and  I  sha'n't  hear 
no  word  spoke  agin  dem,  dat  gin  their  sons  and 
their  own  life's  blood  for  us.  I  shall  'spect  ev- 
erybody dat  lives  'bout  me  to  speak  of  dem  same 
way  as  dey  does  of  de  men  in  de  Bible.  Do  yer  all 
hear ! " 

"  Yes,"  said  "  missus,"  "  they  hears  and  dey'll 


312  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS 

member  too,  case  they'd  hurt  massa  and  my  feelin's 
as  well  as  yourn,  for  we're  powerful  fond  of  the 
Yankees  too."  She  was  a  skilful  weathercock,  but 
she  had  not  art  enough  to  hide  the  act  of  her  turn- 
ing about. 

"  Now  I  reckons  'twouldn't  break  nobody's 
heart  if  I  sjiould  leave  Weza  here  to  gossip  a  few 
days  while  I  goes  down  to  the  city  to  look  out  for 
hands  to  work  wid  me,  and  to  mov^  Chrissy  and 
her  folks  up  again.  Weza  can  tell  yer  all  about  de 
North,  and  de  queer  things  she  see  dere,  and  yer 
can  all  go  over  to  de  Huggins  plantation  to  see  if 
de  house  haint  run  off,  nor  set  down  on  de  grass  in 
de  mean  time,  "  said  Zack. 

When  Zack  was  ready  to  take  his  "  partner  "  and 
wife  back  to  Mr.  Davidson's,  "missus  "  declared  she 
wouldn't  go  for  a  million  o'  money,  and  she  main- 
tained her  position.  She  suggested  hysterics  when 
Zack  urged  her  to  go,  but  he  said,  "  Yer  may  stay 
here  if  Cleo  will  let  yer,  but  as  long  as  yer  live 
don't  let  me  hear  the  word  hysterics'  agin.  And 
the  minute  yer  tries  dat  game  while  I's  master, 
either  yer  or  I  clars  off.  I  can  bear  as  much  as 
any  other  man  wid  poor  weak  women,  but  I 
won't  put  up  wid  artful  ones.  Now  mind  dat, 
missus. 

"  And   moreover   when  I's   master  and   head,  I 


GATHERING    AT    HOME.  313 

shall  'spect  everybody  dat  aint  sick  abed  to  go  up 
to  de  Lord's  house  of  a  Sunday,  and  to  come  into 
do  room  when  I  says  prayers  night, and  mornin'. 
I's  goin'  to  set  God  afore  me  and  my  house,  and 
liave  his  name  honored  dere,  for  he  lias  brung  us 
out  of  Egypt  wid  a  strong  and  mighty  arm  ;  lie 
has  plunged  Pharaoh  and  his  hosts  in  de  sea,  and 
let  us  walk  over  dryshod  ;  he  has  smit  de  rock  and 
it  sent  forth  water  to  us ;  he  has  rained  down 
bread  from  heaven  to  feed  us,  turned  out  de  hea- 
then and  gin  dere  inheritanch  to  us, —  axin  yer  par- 
don massa  and  missus —  and  we's  not  goin'  to  mur- 
mur agin  him,  nor  set  up  gold  calves  to  worship, 
nor  insult  him  no  way  ;  we's  goin'  for  to  humble 
ourselves  afore  him,  and  walk  like  he  tell  us.  Den 
bymeby  wdien  we's  clar  out  of  dis  yere  wilde'ness 
he'll  take  us  home  to  glory." 

Huggins  manifested  as  little  desire  to  go  back  to 
Mr.  Davidson's  as  did  "  missus,"  and  expressed 
some  fear  lest  that  sharp  Yanl:ee,  Mr  Green,  might 
i-efuse  to  release  him  from  his  obligation  !  But 
Zack  promised  to  make  that  all  right,  and  they  set 
off,  Huggins  looking  back  reluctantly. 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

WHEN  Zack  set  off  for  the  boat,  Weza  accom- 
panied him  for  a  few  more  words. 

"  Zack,"  she  said,  "  I's  had  a  mighty  big  fight 
wid  Satan  in  de  night,  and  by  de  help  of  de  Lord 
I  beat  him."  • 

"  Hi,  hi !  "  cried  Zack,  "  I  reckons  he  was  'ston- 
ished  to  find  hisself  beat  by  such  a  weak,  shy 
little  creatur'  as  yer  be.  What  was  de  fight  'bout 
dis  time  ?  " 

"  Oh,  de  old  story  —  de  boys  agin.  Satan  told 
me  dat  de  Lord  didn't  hear  my  prayer;  dat  he 
was  so  great  and  wise  he  wouldn't  stoop  to  listen 
to  a  poor  black  woman.  Den  I  feel,  all  of  a  sud- 
dent,  in  my  soul,  dat  dem  prayers  was  all  tuk  up 
and  printed  in  gold  letters  afore  de  throne,  and  dat 
my  tears  was  saved  up  in  bottles,  like  preachin' 
Jack  used  to  say  de  tears  of  all  de  saints  is.  I 
grew  so  bold  dat  I  cry  out,  '  Get  dee  behind  me, 

314 


OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS.  B16 

Satan,  for  ycr  a  liar  and  de  father  of  lies  ! '  And 
he  flewed  like  Td  been  a  rigimcnt  o'  sogers. 
'Pears  'twas  a  vision  like,  for  den  I  see-  my  sister, 
de  virgin  Mary,  leanin'  on  John's  shoulder,  a 
lookin'  at  de  Jews  as  dey  mocked  and  pierced  my 
beloved  Jesus.  'Feared  like  I  was  'specting  Mary 
would  cry  out  and  ax  de  Father  why  he  let  all  dis 
come  on  her  son  'stead  of  other  women's  sons. 
But  dere  she  stood,  beau'ful  and  calm  and  pale ; 
not  a  word  from  her  lips ;  no  'buse  of  de  enemy, 
no  murmurin'  agin  de  Father.  'Feared  like  a 
voice  from  heaven  said  to  me,  '0  ye  o'  little  faith, 
look  at  dat  mother !  If  she  could  give  up  such  a 
son  to  such  a  deaths  can't  yer  give  up  yer  poor 
sinful  boys  into  de  hand  of  de  massiful  God  ? ' 
And  I  said,  '  Yes,  Lord.'  Den  I  thanked  him  dat 
dey  was  in  his  hand,  and  axed  him  to  do  his  own 
will  and  not  to  mind  me  at  all.  Den  dere  come 
such  a  power  o'  peace  over  my  soul  dat  I  thought 
I  was  in  heaven  for  a  little  while.  I  felt  like  I 
didn't  care  if  de  world  was  tarned  bottom  upwards, 
for  God  reigned  and  all  must  go  right.  Dem  ain't 
my  boys  no  more,  Zack,  dey're  de  Lord's,  and  he 
can  look  out  for  his  chil'en  without  poor  me  tryin' 
to  help  him.  My  heart's  fixed  on  one  promise, 
and  I  don't  b'lieve  it  can  ever  be  shuk  agin :  '  All 
things  work  for  good  to  dem  dat  loves  God  ; '  and 


316  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

I  knows  I  loves  him.  I  'membcred  de  beau'ful 
vision  where  I  see  yer  first,  and  where  me,  and 
ycr,  and  d^  boys,  and  heaps  more  was  all  bound 
by  gold  chains  to  de  lieart  o'  Jesus ;  and  I  was 
'mazed  dat  I'd  forgot  it.  I  blieve  my  sons  is 
either  in  heaven  or  some  other  lovely  place,  and 
I'll  hear  all  about  it  when  I  gets.to  my  Father's 
kingdom.  Now  go  down  river,  yer  dear  good  man, 
feelin'  dat  yer've  left  de  happiest  wife  in  de  world 
behind  yer,  and  dat  she's  a  waitin'  for  yer  to  bring 
home  somebody  she  can  help.  I  want  to  put  up 
over  de  door  of  our  new  home,  '  Dis  is  de  house 
of  God  and  de  gate  of  heaven,'  and  to  love  and 
sarve  him  here  as  long  as  we  lives." 

Zack  was  now  a  planter,  with  both  a  plantation 
and  its  owner  on  his  hands.  It  would  have  been 
hard  to  tell  which  of  the  two  acquisitions  was  the 
more  hopeless.  Any  but  a  strong  man  with  a  will 
to  work  would  have  shrunk  from  accepting  either 
chai'ge,  so  dilapidated  were  both. 

In  looking  about  for  "  hands "  among  the  re- 
turned soldiers  in  the  city,  Zack  avoided  all  drink- 
ing and  gambling  saloons.  "  De  boys,"  he  said, 
"  dat  has  a  taste  for  such  like  places  ain't  de  boys 
for  me.  I's  goin'  to  begin  'construction  from  de 
very  bottom,  in  de  hearts  of  myself  and  my  men, 
and  den  no  fear  but  we'll  get  on  well." 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


317 


He  went  to  old  Sally,  but  she  bad  no  men  for 
him.     Then  be  called    on  Bill    Aiken,  the    black 
preacher,  and  asked  him  to  give  his  business  out 
in  meetin'  with  all  "  de  perticlars,"  which  Bill  did 
in  the  following  words  :  "  As  men  is  commanded 
to  be  diligent  in  business,  course  it's  right  to  find 
business  for  'em  to  be  diligent  in  ;  and  as  some  of 
yer  wants  work,  gettin'  it    for  yer  to-day  will  be 
like  pullin'  de  ox  and  de  ass  out  of  a  pit  on  de 
Sabbath  day.     Dere's   an   honest,  good-principled 
colored  man  here  dat  has  hired  a  plantation  up 
river,  which,  'cordin'  to  his  description,  looks  like 
de   'struction   of    Jerusalem   and   de   downfall   o' 
BaVlon.     Dere's  every  thin'  to  do  dere  fore  yer 
begin,  and  arter  dat  dere's  plowin',  and  plantin', 
and  plantation  work  in  gineral ;    besides  acres  o' 
pine  wood  to  be  cut  and  hauled  to  de  river.     Now 
if  dere's  any  men  here  dat  don't  drink  nor  swear, 
•  and  dat  wants  a  good  home  and  plenty  of  work, 
dey  can  see   dis  brother  at  Hector  Adams'  barber 
shop,  on  St.  Joseph  Street,  at  six  o'clock  to-mor- 
row morning  — it's  early  birds  he's  arter,  yer  see. 
Wives  and  chil'en  is  'lowed  on  de  plantation  if 
ye've  got  'em." 

Zack  was  on  the  spot  next  morning,  and  there 
he  met  a  score  of  men  anxious  to  go  with  him, 
many  of  them  having  brought  their  bundles  ready 


318  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

to  start.  Among  the  number  was  a  tall,  fine  look- 
ing young  man,  who  at  once  attracted  his  at- 
tention. 

"  Yer  wasn't  looking  for  field  work,  sonny  ?  '' 
asked  Zack. 

"  I've  never  worked  in  the  field,"  replied  the 
youth,  in  a  musical  voice,  "  but  I  want  something 
to  do,  and  am  ready  to  take  hold  of  what  comes  up 
first.  By-and-by,  when  matters  get  settled  down  a 
little,  our  people  will  have  schools,  and  then  I  can 
teach.  I've  had  good  learning  for  one  of  us,  and 
can  write  mighty  well  and  keep  accounts.  When 
I  heard  about  yer  at  church,  I  thought  it  might  be 
ye'd  like  some  one  to  keep  yer  accounts,  and  pay 
off  yer  men,  and  look  after  matters  round  the 
house  while  ye're  off  on  the  plantation." 

Zack  was  charmed  by  the  fine  appearance  and 
the  modest  demeanor  of  the  youth. 

"  I'm  'feared  yer'd  wants  heaps  of  money  for  all 
yer  larnin,"  he  replied,  "  and  not  be  satisfied  with 
de  rough  fare  we'll  have  at  first.  .  De  place  I's 
took  looks  like  Bedlam,  and  I's  most  ashamed  to 
take  men  dere  till  it's  clared  up.  But  dat's  de 
first  thing  I  want  'em  for." 

"  I  don't  care  much  for  wages,"  replied  the  young 
mulatto.  "  I've  been  captain's  servant  in  the  war, 
and  have  a  little  sum  laid  up.     I  want  a  home  and 


OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS.  319 

work.  I'm  not  afraid  of  any  thing  I  know  how  to 
do ;  and  what  I  don't  know  I  can  easy  learn,  I 
was  brought  up  wrong,  as  a  slave,  —  fiddling,  and 
whistling,  and  riding,  and  brushing  coats,  and 
carrying  notes,  and  such  work.  But  a  free  man's 
got  to  push  his  way  in  the  world,  and  though  I'm 
behind  most  of  these  for  work,  I  mean  to  be  up 
with  'em  !  I'd  rather  hoe  corn  free  than  ride  be- 
hind a  fast  horse  a  slave." 

"  Give  me  yer  hand,  sonny,"  shouted  Zack. 
"  Yer  made  of  de  right  metal^  and  I'll  find  some- 
thin'  yer  can  do,  and  I'll  feed  yer  on  de  fat  of  de 
land,  if  we  can  get  hold  on't.  Got  any  'lations 
'live  ?• " 

"  Yes,  one  brother.  I  found  him  among  the 
men  of  another  regiment  by  our  looking  so  much 
alike.  Every  soldier  that  had  seen  both  of  us 
spoke  of  it ;  and  as  soon  as  w^e  met  and  talked 
we  were  sure  of  it.  We  were  sold  and  separated 
years  ago,  when  Dr.  Percy's  estate  was  settled  in 
this  city.  I  went  with  the  heir,  who  brought  me 
up  to  make  sport  for  him,  and  then  sold  me  to 
make  sport  for  other  folks.  My  brother  has  fared 
harder,  but  he's  twice  the  man  for  work  that  I  am, 
and  if  yer'll  take  him  too,  I'd  go  where  he  is  and 
tell  him  this  minute." 

If  the  thing  had  Ijcen  possible,  Zack  would  have 


320    '  OUT   OF   THE   ^VILDERXESS. 

turned  pale,  xls  it  was,  liis  emotion  was  mani- 
fested by  the  great  tears  that  rolled  down  his  sable 
cheeks.  "  Got  no  mother,  sonny  ? "  he  asked, 
pitifully. 

"  I  hope  we  have,"  replied  the  youth.  "  She 
was  sold  when  my  brother  was,  and  he  knew  where 
she  went.  His  owner  wrote  to  the  family  but 
never  got  an  answer.  The  man  that  bought  her — 
old  De  Grow  —  has  been  dead  for  years,  and 
there's  been  a  dozen  overseers  on  the  place  since 
then  ;  but  we're  bound  to  get  some  track  of  her. 
My  captain's  put  it  in  the  papers  in  New  York,  and 
Boston,  and  Philadelphia,  thinkin'  she  might  have 
got  to  the  North ;  and  I've  put  it  in  two  papers, 
and  had  it  called  out  in  two  meetin's  down  here." 

"I  s'pose  yer've  been  separated  so  longyer  don't 
keer  much  'bout  her,  only  for  de  name  of  huntin' 
her  up  ?  It's  de  fashion  to  make  a  great  stir  'bout 
yer  friends  now  days,"  replied  Zack,  still  wiping 
his  eyes. 

"  Friend,"  said  the  young  man,  "  if  by  having 
my  right  arm  cut  off  I  could  find  my  mother,  I'd 
have  it  done  without  a  word,  and  my  right  eye 
might  go  with  it." 

Zack  dashed  away  his  tears,  and  burst  into  a 
loud  laugh.  He  came  so  near  having  one  of  Mrs. 
Huggins  "  turns  "  that  the  men  gathered  round  to 


OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS.  321 

sec  wliat  the  excitement  was  about.  He  threw 
his  arms  round  the  younji^  stranger,  and  said, 
"  why,  sonny,  I  Can  give  yer  dat  mother,  and  let 
yer  keep  yer  right  arms  and  eyes  too.  I's  got  her 
myself,  and  a  dearer,  and  loviner,  and  patienter 
little  woman  de  Lord  never  made !  Her  name  was 
Louisa  Percy  —  called  Weza  —  and  I'm  her  hus- 
band, dat  she  love,  honor,  and  obeys.  She's 
mourned  her  life  most  out  'bout  dem  two  boys  o' 
hern,  and  oh,  how  mighty  I  have  called  on  de  Lord 
for  to  send  'em  to  her.  Only  'tother  night  she 
foun'  grace  for  to  give  'em  up,  body  and  soul,  to  de 
Lord,  and  I  lef  her  stan'in'  on  de  top  o'  Mount 
Zion  when  I  come  down  to  look  for  men.  I'm 
'feared  she'll  cut  loose  from  arth  and  go  up  to 
glory  on  de  wings  of  dis  great  joy.  Go  now,  my 
son,  and  find  yer  brother,  and  tell  him  his  father 
and  mother's  found,  and  dat  God's  word  is  true 
dat  de  solitary  is  gathered  into  a  family.  Yer 
shall  keep  my  figures  and  pay  my  bills,  and  when 
Madam  Leon  comes  back,  she'll  set  yer  a  teach- 
in'  school  and  readin'  de  Scriptur's  to  them  dat's 
flockin'  back  to  dere  own  homes.  And  yer 
brotlier,  if  he's  a  workin'  man,  shall  be  my  over- 
seer, and  we'll  show  our  inimies  whether  black 
•folks  can't  take  keer  on  'emselves  when  dey's  free! 
Why,  when  I  was  gone  to  de  war,  and  gin  up  for 


322  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

dead,  yer  poor,  weak  little  mammy  took  keer  on 
herself  Jind  a  couple  of  old  live  mummies  dat's 
owned  her  for  years,  dat  would  elsewise  o'  starved 
to  death.  But  oh,  she  worked  cruel  hard  to  do 
it." 

"  She  shall  never  work  hard  any  more,"  cried 
the  youth,  his  tearful  eye  kmdling  with  joy. 

"^'  I  should  say  not,"  cried  Zack,  "  when  she's  got 
three  big  men,  and  one  of  'em  a  larned  one,  to 
work  for  her.  But  she  will  work  some  way.  Her 
heart's  so  full  of  love  dat  she  has  to  work  it  off  wid 
her  hands.  Go  fetch  yer  brother,  chile,  while  I 
looks  'mong  dese  men  for  de  hands  I  wants." 

The  next  day  Cleo's  kitchen  was  the  scene 
of  a  joyful  surprise  which  we  shall  not  attempt  to 
describe.  After  the  happy  mother  grew  calm 
enough  to  talk,  she  said,  "It  is  as  Zack  said,  —  and 
he  always  says  just  de  right  thing, —  when  I  gin  up 
my  will  de  Lord  answered  my  prayers,  and  now  I's 
de  happiest  woman  on  all  dis  arth.  Why,  even 
Madam  Leon  haint  got  two  sons  !  " 

On  the  plantation  all  hands  went  to  work  pick- 
ing up  old  cart-wheels  and  carryalls,  mending 
fences  and  setting  glass,  putting  on  latches  and 
nailing  loose  boards  on  the  floors,  and  shingles  on 
the  roof;  and  as  they  were  not  very  fastidious* 
tenants  the  place  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  forty- 


4» 

OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS.  323 

eight  lionrs.  In  the  meantime  they  liad  come 
upon  the  rusty  old  plough  huried  where  Huggins 
had  left  it  tlie  day  he  went  off  witli  the  Yankee 
gentleman.  Zack  enjoyed  the  sight  very  mucli 
and  said,  *'  Dere's  come  a  big  change  to  yer,  little 
woman,  since  de  day  yer  made  a  mule  out  o'  yer 
old  massa."  Zack  had  painted  the  floor  of  the 
great  dining-room  a  bright  yellow,  and  bought  a 
huge  rocking-chair  which  he  placed  in  the  middle 
of  the  floor,  while  six  yellow  wooden  ones  sur- 
rounded it  against  the  wall.  An  eighteen  inch 
looking-glass  hung  between  the  windows,  and  two 
gorgeous  and  loyal  roosters,  with  plaster  plumes  in 
red,  white  and  blue  maintained  their  exultant  pos- 
ture— just  on  the  eve  of  crowing  but  never  doing 
it  —  on  the  mantel-piece.  On  one  side  of  the  wall 
was  a  cheaply  framed  picture  of  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
on  an  other  a  newspap^-  cut  of  his  deathbed. 
The  rest  of  the  house  was  furnished  hj  mending 
up  the  fallen  articles  with  which  half  the  garret 
was  filled,  and  supplying  a  few  others ;  and  Weza 
went  to  housekeeping  on  her  own  account  with 
real  womanly  pride. 

When  Mrs.  Huggins  was  ushered  into  her  newly- 
whitewashed  and  well-scoured  chamber  she  laughed 
out  like  a  child,  ^nd  said,  "  Well,  now,  I  do  say 
that  I'm  glad  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart#that  I 


324  OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

didn't  marry  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal.  For 
then  I'd  be  a  draggin'  round  Boston,  and  Pheldel- 
phy,  and  "Wash'nton,  and  all  creation,  'stead  o' 
bein'  able  to  set  down  on  one  cheer  in  this  nice 
room,  with  my  feet  in  another,  and  this  funny 
pipe  in  my  mouth,  at  liberty  to  take  ten  naps  a 
day  if  I'm  a  mind  to.     Weza,  fill  my  pipe." 

Weza  rose  to  her  feet,  but  Zack  cried  out,  ''  Sit 
down,  little  woman  !  Missus,  de  bargain  was  dat 
yer  should  do  yer  own  waitin'  and  tendin',  so  now 
go  down  peaceable  and  get  yer  tobacco  —  if  yer 
will  use  the  filthy  stuff —  and  then  git  yer  needle 
and  sew  a  gown  or  somethin'  or  nother." 

"  So  I  will,"  rephed  missus,  "  for  it  has  put  new 
strength  into  every  jint  of  my  body  to  be  back  to 
the  mansion  house  all  fixed  up  so  elegant  —  even 
though  Huggins  aint' master  here.  Huggins  is  a 
fine,  sperited  man  that  ^y  wife  mought  be  proud 
on ;  and  though  the  Colonel's  called  handsome  and 
grand,  and  though  he  steps  quick,  do  he  ain't 
half  such  a  suitable*  man  as  Huggins  ;  and  I  do 
think  suitable  men  is  finer  than  such  keen  ones." 

Work  seemed  like  play  now.  The  crops  they 
planted,  the  chickens  they  raised,  the  mules  they 
bought  were  all  to  be  their  own.  The  old  house 
was  repaired  with  labor  and  cost,  in  the  joyous 
hope  ♦hat  it  would  yet  be  theirs  and  their  chil- 


OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS.  325 

dren's  after  thorn.  Every  member  ol"  tlie  sable 
family  toiled  witli  a  glad  spirit,  whicli  \vas  mani- 
fested by  the  merry  whistle  in  the  Held  and  the 
joyfnl  song  in  the  house. 

Even  Mrs.  Ilnggins,  "  ketching  the  Yankee  sper- 
it,''  insisted  on  washing  the  dishes  and  setting  the 
table,  spasmodically,  and  Huggins  might  now  and 
tlien  be  seen  feeding  the  chickens  or  Ijringing  a 
basket  of  corn-cobs  into  the  kitchen,  moving  as 
if  to  the  music  of  the  "  Dead  March  in  Saul." 

When  the  first  crop  was  springing  from  the 
ground,  and  the  work  Increased  faster  than  the 
wi^rkmen  could  attend  to  it,  Weza  was  surprised 
one  day  by  a  strange  spectacle  drawing  near  the 
house.  On  the  living  skeleton  of  the  "  old  white 
boss,"  sat  the  fellow  who  went  by  the  one  name 
of  "  the  stiff-kneed  boy,"  supporting  in  his  arms 
the  wan  form  of  poor  Obed,  looking  more  dead 
than  alive. 

The  little  woman  dropped  what  was  in  her  hand 
and  ran  to  the  door  exclaiming,  "  Why,  yer  two 
poor  fellows  !  How  a  family  is  gathering  'bout  me 
and  Zack  ! "  and  she  put  up  her  arms  to  hold  Obed 
till  his  friend  could  get  off  the  horse  and  carry 
him  into  the  house. 

"  Well,  Weza,"  said  Obed,  in  a  faint  voice,  "  I's 
been  a  long  journey  for  to  hunt  yer  up,  and  now  I's 
come  here  for  to  die  by  yer." 


326  OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 

"No,  my  child,"  cried  Wcza,  pitifully,  "  ycr's 
come  to  be  missed  up,  and  to  live  and  to  be  one 
o'  my  boys.  O,  Oljed,  de  Lord  has  brung  me  dem 
boys  dat  I  was  so  wild  about,  and  dey's  just  like 
two  gen'l'man  and  yet  so  lovin',  and  tinder,  and 
'dustrious  dat  my  heart's  full  and  runnin'  over  wid 
de  massy  of  de  lovin'  Lord.  But  tell  me,  chile, 
whar  yer  been  all  dis  time,  and  who  took-  keer  on 
yer?"        '      . 

"Dis  stiff-kneed  fellow  did,"  rephed  Obed,  with 
a  faint  smile.  "  He  found  out  his  knee  wasn't  so 
stiff,  arter  all,  when  it  was  his  own.  He  had  more 
courage  a  rubbin'  it  den  when  it  was  Massa  Hog- 
gins* knee.  He  got  into  some  sort  o'  business  in  de 
army,  and  left  me  wid  a  lot  of  old  conti-abange 
women  and  chiren,  and  he's  s'ported  me  and  my 
boss  ever  since.  When  he  come  back  he  got  work 
in  de  city,  and  take  a  room  for  us,  and  we  kep'  de 
boss  in  de  back  yard,  but  couldn't  half  feed  him. 
Last  week  he  run  agin  Luke  down  dar,  and  heerd 
yer  Avas  here  ;  and  I  said,  '  Take  me  home  to  Weza 
to  die.  So  here  I  is  most  deard.  He  want  me  to 
leave  de  boss  or-  kill  it,  and  come  up  in  de  boat ; 
but  I  don't  tarn  agin  old  friends  dat  way." 

"  It's  a  wonder,"  said  Weza,  imiocently,  "  dey 
didn't  take  dat  boss  from  yer  when  bosses  was  so 
bkearce  in  de  war." 


OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS.  327 

"  He  wastn't  dc  kind  dey  wanted,"  said  tlie  stiff- 
kneed  boy.  '*  \i'  all  our  liosses  had  been  like  Obe's 
we  shouldn't  be  where  we  is  dis  day.  Ts  fit  for  de 
country  and  been  mighty  brave  since  I  see  yer,  but 
I's  glad  to  be  home  agin  now  dat  Zack's  master 
here.  I  hope  he'll  hire  me  for  one  of  his  men, 
and  I'll  work  enough  to  pay  for  poor  Obed's  keep- 
ing. 

"  But  how  comes  yer  can  work  smart  and  yer  so 
lame  ?  "  asked  Weza. 

"  Oh,  I  ain't  lame  now  to  speak  on.  When  I 
got  free  I  found  out,  all  of  a  suddent,  dat  I  wasn't 
so  lame  as  I  thought  I  was.  It  was  a  moughty 
sight  easier  to  walk  straight  wid  my  own  leg  dan 
wid  one  dat  belong  to  Massa  Huggins.  I'd  got 
pretty  niuch  over  de  cut  I  had  seven  year  ago,  and 
an  old  woman  in  a  hut  whar  we  stop  one  night 
arter  we  left  poor  missus  asleep  in  de  gig,  rub 
some  len'ment  onto  it,  and  den  it  was  as  good  as 
the  other,  only  I  had  to  larn  how  to  walk  straight 
agin.  She  said  'twas  a  mericle  dat  liberty  had 
worked  for  heaps  of  our  folks.  She  said  she'd 
knowed  blind  folks,  and  deaf  folks,  and  cripples, 
and  sich  ones  all  come  out  as  good  as  new  de 
minute  dey  got  rid  of  der  massas.  Say,  will  Zack 
put  me  to  work,  Weza  ?  " 

"  Sartiu,  chile,  yer  go  out  in   de  field  and  find 


328  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

him,  and  tell  him  he  may  have  yer,  and  dat  I  will 
take  Ol'cd.  I  dis  day  been  axin'  de  massa  above 
for  somethiii'  to  do  for  him,  and  see  how  quick  he 
answered  me." 

While  talking  she  had  arranged  a  comfortable 
resting  place  for  the  poor  cripple  by  tipping  back 
the  cherished  rocking-chair  and  filling  it  with  blan- 
kets, and  when  his  friend  laid  him  into  it  he  looked 
up  in  Weza's  motherly  face,  and  said,  ''  'Pears  like 
I  was  in  heaven  now.  Has  anybody  k^ered  for 
my  boss  ? ". 

When  "  missus  "  heard  that  Obed  had  arrived, 
she  sprang  out  of  her  chair  with  terrible  energy, 
and  declared  he  should  not  stay  one  hour  in  the 
mansion  house  after  the  way  he  treated  her  the 
night  that  the  Yankee  "  hordges "  that  poured 
down  on  them,  didn't  come.  But  Zack,  while  he 
blamed  the  boys  for  that  trick,  reminded  her  that 
he  was  "  massa  at  the  place  now,  and  that  Weza 
must  have  her  way  'bout  Obed."  And  Weza's 
way  was  to  nurse  him  back  to  life  again. 

When  the  Colonel  returned  home  he  was  re- 
joiced at  the  change  on  the  Huggins  plantation,  as 
well  as  surprised  at  the  manner  in  which  his  own 
had  been  kept  up  by  a  few  weak  people  on  whom 
he  had  had  no  legal  claim.  He  even  expressed 
pleasure  at  the  result  of  the  great  struggle,  and 


OUT   OF  THE   WILDERNESS.  329 

offered  his  men  their  choice,  to  work  for  him  at 
fair  wages,  or  to  take  a  piece  of  land  and  work  for 
themselves. 

While  Zack  was  reaping  his  first  harvest,  he  had 
a  visit  from  his  own  beloved  master,  who  had  just 
returned  from  Europe  with  his  wife,  and  was  the 
guest  of  the  Colonel.  The  gentleman  was  greatly 
pleased  with  the  prosperity  of  his  sable  friends, 
and  after  getting  a  deed  of  the  plantation  for  Zack, 
he  ordered  the  house  and  outbuildings  put  in  per- 
fect repair,  and  provided  him  with  the  best  farm- 
ing implements  to  be  found.  "  I  mean,"  he  said, 
"  to  prove  that  such  men  as  Zack  can  take  care  of 
themselves  without  a  master."  And  he  did  prove 
it. 

As  the  planters  came  back  and  gathered  labor- 
ers about  them,  Sampson  opened  a  school  in  a 
building  erected  for  him.  It  was  largely  attended 
by  children  in  the  day  time  and  by  the  whole  adult 
population  of  blacks  in  the  evenings.  Scriptur' 
Bill  gathered  his  family  together  and  settled  near 
Zack,  and  every  Sunday  "  he  held  preachin's  in 
the  schoolhouse,"  and  was  always  ready  to  lend  a 
helping  hand  at  any  good  work. 

When  Madam  Leon,  who  now  ruled  as  a  queen 
rather  than  as  a  mistress  among  her  humble 
neighbors,   asked   Weza  if   all   her   desires   were 


330  OUT   OF   THE   WILDERNESS. 

gratified,  she  replied,  "  Yes,  missus  dear.  If  I 
was  told  to  ax  for  any  thing  I  wanted  in  dis  arth  I 
couldn't  think  of  a  thin'  but  just  only  more  grace. 
I's  travelled  up  and  down  'bout  as  long  as  de 
chiFen  of  Isreal  did,  but  de  dear  Lord  lias  at  last 
brung  me  out  of  de  wilderness,  and  to  his  name  be 
all  de  glory  !■*' 


GOOD    MSASUREI 

^         A  Story  fas*  Bays.  ' 

By     r>.     S.     ERICKSON". 
1  vel.  lemo.    Price  $150. 


"This  story  is  well  adapted  to  teach  boys  useful  les- 
ions, show  them  the  value  of  honesty,  and  the  sin  and 
danger  of  dishonesty,  and  inspire  them  with  useful  prin- 
ciples and  impressions." — Christian  Era. 


"The  press  of  H.  A.  Young  &.  Co.  is  well  known  by 
the  issue  of  tasty  and  valuable  books  for  the  Sabbath 
School.  '  Good  Measure  *  enforces  a  really  important 
moral,  in  a  spirited  and  entertaining  narrative." — Chi- 
cago Standard. 

"  Among  all  the  Sunday  School  Books  I  have  read 
this  year,  '  Good  Measure '  stands  at  the  head." 


The  author  has  so  interwoven  instruction  with  inci- 
dent as  to  produce  a  book  which  cannot  fail  to  interest 
those  for  whom  it  is  especially  intended. 

PUBLISHED    BY 

HEIVRY    A.  YOTJTVO  &  CO., 

24  Cornhill,  Boston. 


A  BOOK  FOB  EVERT  CHRISTIAN. 


DAILY  FOOD. 


This  little  volume  has  passed  through  the  hands,  and 
been  the  comfort  of  the  hearts,  of  thousands.  In  order 
to  meet  the  wants  of  many,  we  have  issued  this  book  in 
various  styles,  at  the  following  prices,  viz. : 

1  vol.  32mo.,  cloth,  plain,  15  cts. 
1     "  "  "        gilt,     20   " 

1     "  "      fullgUt,  25  " 

1     "  "      tuck  mor.,     50   " '' 

^^*"  Liberal  discounts  made  to  parties  ordering  in 
quantities. 


PUBLISUED    BY 

HENRY   A.    YOUNG    &   CO., 

24  Cornliill,  Boston. 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

By  MRS.  "Jane  d.  chaplin. 

1  vol.  12mo.    Frioe  $1.50. 

This  volume,  published  as  a  serial  in  the  "  "Watchman  and 
Reflector,"  has  been  pronounced  a  book  of  superior  merit ; 
many  of  the  scenes  and  characters  having  fallen  under  tho 
writer's  own  observation. 

CARIm    BARTIiiETT^ 

Or,  WHAT  CAJSr  I  I>0? 

1  vol.  16mo.    Frioe  $1.26. 

BT  THB  AXJTHOB  OP  "GOOD  MEASUIIB.** 

Many  of  the  characters  introduced  into  "  Good  Measure,'* 
are  continued  in  this  book,  making  a  volume  of  unusual  in- 
terest to  the  young. 

HCEIVPCY    A.    YOmVG-    &    CO., 

34    Comliill,   Boston. 


New  Books  by  the  JPi^ize  Authoress. 


MOLLY'S   BIBLE, 

By  MAEY  DWHTELL  CHELLIS, 

Aoatlior    of  "IDea.    Sims'    I>ra3rers,"  Etc. 
1  vol.  16mo.    Price  $1.50. 

**  Dea.  Sims'  Prayers  "  was  a  book  of  superior  merit, 
taking  the  prize  among  more  than  fifty  competitors. 
The  above  is  in  no  way  its  inferior,  and  at. once  takes 
its  place  in  the  front  rank  of  Sunday  School  books. 


EFFIE  WINGATE'S  WORK. 

By  MAEY  DWINELL  OHELLIS, 

AUTHOR  OF  "  DEA.  SIMS'  PRATERS,"  "  MOLLY'S  BIBLE,"  KTO. 

1  vol.  lemo.    Price  $1.50. 

A  book  of  surpassing  interest,  abounding  in  incident, 
and  holding  the  attention  from  the  beginning  to  its 
close. 

Miss  Chellis  has  few  equals  in  this  style  of  book. 

PUBLISHED    BY 

ELENB.T   A.    TOUNG    &    CO.» 

2^    Comhill,    Soston. 


OHILLIS  eiEllB. 

By  MARY  DWINELL  CHELLIS. 
8  vols.  16mo.    Price  $4.50. 


DEA.    SIMS'  JPBATJEBS. 

Few  books  have  taken  such  ranl^  among  Sunday 
School  literature  as  this  one,  receiving  the  prize 
among  more  than  fifty  competitors.  Its  characters 
are  natural,  and  its  spirit  excellent. 


MOLLY'S  BIB  LB. 

By  MARY  DWJNELL  CHELLIS. 
1  vol.  Xemo.    Price  $1.50. 

EFFIJE    WIH^GATE'S    WOBK. 

By  MARY  DWINELL   CHELLIS. 

1  vol.  16mo.    Price  $1.50. 

The  above  three  volumes  sold  separately  or  together. 

HEISTRY    A.    YOTJIVO    &    CO., 

84   Comliill,   Sostou. 


AND 

BIBLE    PICTURES. 

1  vol.,  small  4to.    Price  $1.50. 

This  volume  contains  a  selection  of  some  of  the 
best  Bible  histories,  and  cannot  fail  to  meet  a 
want  long  felt.     The  editor  says, 

*'  In  offering  this  book  to  the  public  the  editor 
makes  no  claim  of  originality,  but  tells  the  old 
stories  in  simple  language,  and  presents  them  in 
an  attractive  form,  to  please  the  taste  of  the  little 
folks,  for  whom  they  are  intended." 

The  Illustrations,  twenty  in  number,  are  printed 
in  the  new  style  in  a  superior  manner. 

The  book  is  elegantly  bound,  with  gilt  centre 
and  bevelled  boards,  altogether  making  one  of  tho 
handsomest  volumes  published. 

UBNBY  A.  YOTUSTG  &  CO., 

24  Cornhlll,  Boston. 


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